The determination of the toxic influences to Gammarus pulex (amphipoda) caged in urban receiving waters

Abstract

: A statistical procedure comprising principal component analysis and multiple regression has been applied to the in situ mortality response data for Gammarus pulex caged downstream of a combined sewer overflow (CSO) and a surface water outfall (SWO). The mortality and heavy metal bioaccumulation responses of the species as well as seventeen different chemical and hydrological characteristics of the receiving watercourse were monitored continuously for 36 days. Flow rate, BOD5, suspended solids, total ammonia, total aqueous copper and lead concentrations and dissolved aqueous concentrations of zinc and copper influenced the mortality response of Gammarus pulex. The relationships between the mortality response and the selected independent variables are expressed in the form of stable quantitative equations by regressing the dependent variable (i.e. mortality) against the principal components of the independent parameters. This statistical approach represents an important tool for interpreting large intercorrelated sets of environmental data obtained in situ.

Traditional Multivariate Techniques: Potential for Use in Ecotoxicology

“…As with all ordination methods, it is common to plot the first two components against one another and make a subjective assessment of the resulting pattern. Principal components can be used in subsequent regression against key features of the data (PC regression as used by Mullis et al [7]).…”

Validity and ecological relevance of an active in situ bioassay using gammarus pulex and limnephilus lunatus

“…While larval densities of L. lunatus were decreased due to elevated mortality, an active drift and avoidance behavior enables G. pulex to leave contaminated sites temporarily and thus occur at high densities in contaminated streams [6,7]. Grammarus pulex is frequently used as a test species for in situ bioassays [e.g., 3,[8][9][10][11][12][13]. Species of the Trichoptera have so far been employed less often.…”

SERDP SEED Project (CS-1161) Final Report: Feasibility Study: Lab-on-a-chip and In Situ Bioassay Techniques for Rapid Resolution of Ion Signatures for Disturbances of Biological Significance in Streams

“…However, in situ bioassays also are commonly used for (1) obtaining biological or ecological information on individuals species, species groups, and communities of organisms (e.g., McMahon and Williams 1986;Crowley et al 1983), or (2) determining the occurrence and source of contaminants (e.g., Foe and Knight 1987;Mulliss et al 1996;Peterson et al 1996). In circumstances where perturbations may have significantly impacted streams at their origins, in situ bioassays may serve as useful screening tools for identifying early improvements in water quality.…”