Trophic transfer, bioaccumulation, and health risk assessment of heavy metals in Aras River: case study-Amphipoda- zander - human.

Heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, and Cu) were traced in a model of the aqueous food chain in the Aras River, located in northwest of Iran. The selected model included the zander (Sander lucioperca L.) and crustacean species known as amphipods (Gammarus sp.) which belong to the food chain of this ray-finned fish. A total of 172 samples (70 fish and 102 amphipods) were collected randomly and analyzed for heavy metals using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The results showed that the accumulation of heavy metals in both taxa are in the order of As > Pb > Cd > Cu, and concentrations of heavy metals in fish muscle are higher than Gammarus sp. in all stations in different seasons. Specimens of station (1) displayed the highest heavy metal content due to local industrial activities. The recorded concentrations of As, Pb, and Cd exceed the permissible limits. There is a close correlation between the concentrations of heavy metals in the amphipods and zanders. Target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR) were calculated to assess risks to human health. The average of THQ for As (1.43) exceeded the international standards and presenting health risks to the consumers of this fish species. The TTHQ for heavy metals was estimated higher than 1. At all stations, the value of CRCd > 1 × 10-3 indicating the degree of carcinogenicity of this metal in all parts of the Aras River. Therefore, according to our results, efficient control measures and regular biomonitoring should be established in this region.

Conventional and nano-copper pesticides are equally toxic to the estuarine amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus.

Modern nano-engineered pesticides have great promise for agriculture due to their extended, low dose release profiles that are intended to increase effectiveness but reduce environmental harm. Whether nanopesticides, including copper (Cu) formulations, cause reduced levels of toxicity to non-target aquatic organisms is unclear but important to assess. Predicting how aquatic species respond to incidental exposure to Cu-based nanopesticides is challenging because of the expected very low concentrations in the environment, and the two forms of exposure that may occur, namely to Cu ions and Cu nanoparticles. We conducted Cu speciation, tissue uptake, and 7-day toxicity laboratory experiments to test how a model estuarine organism, the amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus, responded to two popular Cu-based nanopesticides, CuPRO and Kocide, and conventional CuCl2. Exposure concentrations ranged from 0 to 2.5 ppm, which were similar to those found in estuarine water located downstream of agricultural fields. Cu dissolution rates were much slower for the nanopesticides than the ionic formula, and Cu body burden in amphipods increased approximately linearly with the nominal exposure concentration. Amphipod survival declined in a normal dose-response manner with no difference among Cu formulations. Growth and movement rates after 7 days revealed no difference among exposure levels when analyzed with conventional statistical methods. By contrast, analysis of respiration rates, inferred from biomass measurements, with a bioenergetic toxicodynamic model indicated potential for population-level effects of exposure to very low-levels of the two nanopesticides, as well as the control contaminant CuCl2. Our results indicate that toxicity assessment of environmental trace pollutant concentrations may go undetected with traditional ecotoxicological tests. We present a process integrating toxicity test results and toxicodynamic modeling that can improve our capacity to detect and predict environmental impacts of very low levels of nanomaterials released into the environment.

Single and combined effects of cadmium and arsenate in Gammarus pulex (Crustacea, Amphipoda): understanding the links between physiological and behavioural responses.

This study aimed at investigating the individual and interactive effects of cadmium (Cd) and arsenate (AsV) in Gammarus pulex (Crustacea, Amphipoda) through the use of several biomarkers. Individuals were exposed for 240 h to two concentrations of AsV or Cd alone, and all the possible binary mixtures of these concentrations of AsV and Cd in a complete factorial design. The pattern of the biomarkers' responses to Cd and AsV alone or in mixture was similar in Gammarus pulex, even if the response intensity varied depending on the tested conditions. G. pulex responded to contamination with increased mobilization of the detoxification systems [i.e. γ-glutamyl-cystein ligase activity (GCL), reduced glutathione content (GSH) and metallothionein concentrations (MT)]. This response seems to imply changes in energy reserve utilization (total lipids and proteins are used prior to glycogen reserves), but also a possible energy reallocation from locomotion to detoxification processes. The observed increase in lipid peroxidation could be relied to the increasing gammarid mortality, despite the higher mobilization of detoxification systems. Even if the outcome of the complex interactions between AsV and Cd remains difficult to unravel, such studies are critically important for better assessing the effects of stressors on organisms, populations and communities in a multi-contamination context of ecosystems.

Cadmium bioavailability to Hyalella azteca from a periphyton diet compared to an artificial diet and application of a biokinetic model.

Differences between the bioavailability of cadmium in a periphyton diet and an artificial laboratory diet (TetraMin(®)) have important consequences for predicting bioaccumulation and toxicity in the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca. The assimilation efficiency (AE) of Cd was compared between periphyton and TetraMin(®) at low (1510 and 358 nmol/g ash-free dry mass respectively) and chronically lethal (31,200 and 2890 nmol/g ash-free dry mass respectively) Cd concentrations and in fresh and dry forms using a (109)Cd radiotracer pulse-chase feeding technique. Assimilation efficiency of Cd from periphyton (AE=3-14%) was lower than that for TetraMin(®) (AE=44-86%) regardless of Cd concentration or food form. Ingestion rate (IR) was lower for dry than fresh forms of periphyton (0.042 and 0.16 g AFDM/g H. azteca/day respectively) and TetraMin(®) (0.19 and 0.87 AFDM/g H. azteca/day respectively) and depuration rate (k(e)) did not differ statistically with food type, form or Cd concentration (0.032-0.094 d(-1)). Biokinetic models with parameters of AE, IR and k(e) were used to estimate bioaccumulation from the separate food types. These estimates were compared to those from an independent chronic Cd saturation bioaccumulation model. While the model estimates did not concur, a sensitivity analysis indicated that AE and IR were the most influential biokinetic model parameters for Cd in periphyton and TetraMin(®) respectively. It was hypothesized that AE was underestimated for Cd in periphyton due to a non-adapted gut enzyme system and IR was overestimated for Cd in TetraMin(®) due to an initial rapid ingestion phase in H. azteca's feeding habits. This research demonstrated the importance of using ecologically relevant food types in laboratory experiments and verifying acute biokinetic model predictions of dietary metal contribution with those derived from a chronic exposure which is more representative of a field exposure scenario.

Specific features of mandible structure and elemental composition in the polyphagous amphipod Acanthogammarus grewingkii endemic to Lake Baikal.

BACKGROUND: In crustaceans, several mechanisms provide for the mechanical strength of the cuticular "tools" (dactyli, claws, jaws), which serve to catch and crush food objects. Studies on the mandibles of the endemic Baikal amphipod Acanthogammarus grewingkii by means of electron microscopy and elemental analysis have revealed specific structural features of these mouthparts. METHODOLOGY: The fine structure of the mandible has been studied by means of SEM, TEM, and AFM; methods used to analyze its elemental and phase composition include XEPMA, XPS, SEM-EDS analysis, and XRD. CONCLUSION: Functional adaptations of the mandible in A. grewingkii provide for the optimum combination of mechanical hardness and fracture resistance, which is achieved due to a complex structure and composition of its cutting parts. Teeth of the mandible are covered by a thin layer of silica (10-20 µm). Their epicuticle is characterized by a high density, consists of three layers, and increases in thickness toward the tooth apex. The epicuticle is enriched with Br, while the concentrations of Ca and P reach the peak values in the softer internal tissues of the teeth. These data broaden the view of the diversity of adaptation mechanisms providing for the strengthening of cuticular "tools" in crustaceans.

A comparison of the short-term toxicity of cadmium to indigenous and alien gammarid species.

Amphipods play an important role in many aquatic ecosystems and are commonly used in ecotoxicology and ecosystem health assessment. Several alien gammarids have been introduced in many regions of the world during the last decades. In this study, we investigated if differences in cadmium sensitivity occurred between (1) different species belonging to the family Gammaridae and (2) different populations of the same species originating from a polluted or a non-polluted site. The acute cadmium toxicity to two indigenous (Gammarus pulex and Gammarus fossarum) and four alien (Dikerogammarus villosus, Echinogammarus berilloni, Gammarus roeseli and Gammarus tigrinus) gammarids occurring in Belgium was tested. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in median lethal concentrations (LC(50)) were found between the different species, with 72 h-LC50s ranging from 6.3 to 268 µg/l and 96 h-LC50s from 4.7 to 88.9 µg/l. No clear trend in Cd sensitivity was found when comparing indigenous and alien gammarids. D. villosus, an alien invasive species, was the most sensitive to Cd toxicity and E. berilloni, another alien species, the least sensitive. In addition, larger Gammarid species were more sensitive to Cd toxicity than smaller ones. No significant differences were found between populations of the same species originating from metal polluted sites or non-polluted sites. Overall, our results showed that considerable differences in Cd sensitivity exist between gammarid species, which should be taken into consideration in environmental risk assessment and water quality standard setting. Finally, our data suggest that alien gammarids would not have an advantage over indigenous gammarids in Cd contaminated environments.

Lípidos en el anfípodo Talorchestia margaritae (Amphipoda: Talitridae) y su relación con la ecología de la especie

Lipids in the amphipod Talorchestia margaritae (Amphipoda: Talitridae) and its relationship with the ecology of the species. T. margaritae, an endemic species inhabiting Venezuelan coasts, plays an important ecological role in plant and animal decomposition. To understand this issue in some animal groups, especially small ones, lipid composition analysis has been an interesting tool to describe their trophic relationships and food preferences. In order to assess this and visualize the components of their diet, we determined the lipid composition differences between males and females and among age classes in this species. Two sandy beaches were selected: Mangle Quemao and Las Mercedes de Paparo, from which sand samples of known volume were collected at the supralittoral area in 2007. Organisms were separated by age and sex classes, and their size, weight, density, biomass, total lipids (TL), lipid classes and fatty acid markers present in their tissues were determined. The sizes were similar for all age classes between the two locations, while the weights were higher for Mangle Quemao. The TL and lipid classes showed similar proportions between sexes, age classes and locations (TL: 3-5%; Phospholipids: 20-30%; Glycolipids: <1%; sterols: 4%). On the other hand, Triglycerides (TAG) were higher in Mangle Quemao, which may be related to the difference between the weights of two locations. The most abundant fatty acid biomarkers in the two studied sites were 16:0 and 18:1(n-9); this last one is characteristic of a carnivorous diet. The other nine markers were identified with changes in their distribution in organisms at Mangle Quemao and between males and females of both populations. Based on observed fatty acids markers we can assume T. margaritae as a generalist carnivore. Those populations were influenced by available food; inducing differences in weight, TAG proportion and markers diversity. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (3): 841-855. Epub 2010 September 01.

T. margaritae cumple un papel importante en la descomposición de restos vegetales y animales en las costas venezolanas. El objetivo fue determinar las diferencias en la composición lipídica entre sexos y talla de la especie. Para esto, especímenes de T. margaritae fueron recolectados en la zona supralitoral de dos playas arenosas: Mangle Quemao y las Mercedes de Paparo. Posteriormente se separaron por talla y sexo determinándoles su peso, densidad, biomasa y perfil lipídico. Todas las categorías presentaron tallas similares entre localidades. Los pesos fueron superiores en los organismos de Mangle Quemao. Los lípidos totales presentaron proporciones similares entre sexos, talla y localidad (3-5%), al igual que los fosfololípidos (20-30%), glicolípidos (<1%) y esteroles (4%), exceptuando los triglicéridos (TAG), siendo estos superiores en Mangle Quemao. Esto último pudiendo estar relacionado con la diferencia de pesos entre localidades. Los ácidos grasos más abundantes en ambas localidades fueron 16:0 y 18:1(n-9). Se identificaron otros 9 marcadores con variaciones en su distribución. Con base en los biomarcadores se puede catalogar a T. margaritae como una especie carnívora- generalista, siendo sus poblaciones influenciadas por la disponibilidad de alimento que a su vez, podría inducir diferencias de peso, TAG y biomarcadores.

Cellular energy allocation in the Arctic sea ice amphipod Gammarus wilkitzkii exposed to the water soluble fractions of oil.

Increasing offshore oil and gas activities in the European Arctic has raised concerns of the potential anthropogenic impact of oil-related compounds on the polar marine ecosystem. We measured cellular energy allocation (CEA) in the sea ice amphipod Gammarus wilkitzkii after exposure for one month to the water soluble fraction (WSF) of oil. The CEA biomarker measures the energy budget of organisms by biochemically assessing changes in carbohydrates, protein and lipid content as well as the electron transport system activity. A significantly higher protein content was observed in the medium dose compared to controls, while the total energy budget was not affected in G. wilkitzkii. This indicates that parts of the energy budget of G. wilkitzkii, which is a key species in the Arctic ecosystem, is affected by a WSF of oil.

Physiological and behavioural responses of Gammarus pulex (Crustacea: Amphipoda) exposed to cadmium.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cadmium on physiological and behavioural responses in Gammarus pulex. In a first experiment, cadmium LC50s for different times were evaluated in 264 h experiment under continuous mode of exposure (LC50(96 h)=82.1 microgL(-1), LC50(120 h)=37.1 microgL(-1), LC50(168 h)=21.6 microgL(-1), LC50(264 h)=10.5 microgL(-1)). In a second experiment, the physiological and behavioural responses of the amphipod exposed to cadmium (0, 7.5 and 15 microgL(-1)) were investigated under laboratory conditions. The mortality and the whole body cadmium concentration of organisms exposed to cadmium were significantly higher than in controls. Concerning physiological responses, cadmium exposure exerted a significant decrease on osmolality and haemolymph Ca(2+) concentration, but not on haemolymph Na(+) and Cl(-) concentrations, whereas the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity was significantly increased. Behavioural responses, such as feeding rate, locomotor and ventilatory activities, were significantly reduced in Cd exposed organisms. Mechanism of cadmium action and consequent energetic reallocation in favour of maintenance functions (i.e., osmoregulation) are discussed. The results of this study indicate that osmolality and locomotor activity in G. pulex could be effective ecophysiological/behavioural markers to monitor freshwater ecosystem and to assess the health of organisms.

Contenido proteico en los diferentes estadios embrionarios de Talorchestia margaritae (Amphipoda: Talitridae) durante su desarrollo intra-marsupial / Proteic content in the embryonic stages of Talorchestia margaritae (Amphipoda: Talitridae) during its intramarsupial development

The amphipod Talorchestia margaritae Stephesen, 1948, is a semi-terrestrial species that inhabits decaying organic material along estuarine shores of the Tuy river, Miranda state, Venezuela. We studied the embryonic development of T. margaritae and used biochemical quantitative methods to determine the protein content of embryos in stages of intra-marsupial development, as well as the consumption pattern of these proteins by the embryos. The smallest reproductive females measured 4.6 mm in body length. A low correlation (R2 = 0.2157; p<0.01) was found between female size and number of eggs in the marsupium. The number of eggs and embryos in the marsupium varied between 3 and 12 egg or embryos/female for all female sizes, regardless of stage. Five developmental stages were observed: the uncleaved egg, three embryonic stages and the juvenile stage. Mean embryo size increased significantly during embryo development: from 536.4+or -28.4 ìm at stage I up to 798.1+ or -18.44 ìm at the juvenile stage (stage V). The protein content decreased from an initial mean value of 4.14+ or -0.78 ìg proteins/egg to a final value of 2.02+ or -0.46 ìg protein/juvenile. Most of this decrease occurred between stages I and IV, a pattern which could reflect an initial higher consumption of the proteins as a source of energy and tissue formation. At the final stages (between IV and V), there were no significant differences between the protein content of the embryos.

El anfipodo Talorchestia margaritae Stephesen, 1948, es una especie semi-terrestre, que habita bajo material organico en descomposicion, en la desembocadura del rio Tuy, estado Miranda, Venezuela. Estudiamos el desarrollo embrionario de T. margaritae y determinamos con metodos bioquimicos cuantitativos el contenido de proteinas en los embriones, durante los estadios del desarrollo intramarsupial, asi como su patron de consumo de proteinas. La talla minima de hembras ovadas fue de 4.6 mm de longitud corporal. Se encontro una correlacion baja (R2 igual 0.2157; p menor 0.01) entre la talla de la hembra y el numero de huevos en el marsupio. El numero de huevos y embriones en el marsupio vario entre 3 y 12 huevos o embriones/hembra, para todas las tallas de hembra independientemente del estadio. Se observaron cinco estadios de desarrollo: el huevo no dividido, tres estadios de embriones intramarsupiales y el juvenil. A medida que avanza el desarrollo, hay un incremento significativo de la talla de los embriones, desde un promedio para el estadio I (huevo no dividido) de 536.4 (+ o -28.4) ìm, hasta un promedio de 798.1 (+ o - 18.44) ìm en el estadio V (juvenil). El contenido de proteinas disminuyo desde un promedio inicial de 4.14 (+ o - 0.78) ìg proteinas/huevo, hasta un promedio final de 2.02 (+ o - 0.46) ìg proteina/juvenil. La disminucion es mayor entre los estadios I y IV, pudiendo este patron reflejar una mayor utilizacion inicial de las proteinas como fuente de energia y formacion de tejidos, mientras que en estadios finales, no hay diferencias significativas entre el contenido de proteinas de los estadios IV y V.

Efecto de sedimentos naturales enriquecidos con zinc, en modelos aislados y en microcosmos, sobre tres especies de invertebrados bentónicos / Effect of zinc-enriched sediments, in open and isolated systems, on three species of benthonic invertebrates

Availability of toxics in aquatic bodies is limited by the physicochemical characteristics of sediments and water, as well as by the interactions between the different xenobiotics and inhabits species. The aim of this work was to relate the effect produced by zinc (Zn) spiked in sediments of the Ignacio Ramirez dam (PIR), in isolated and microcosms models, on ATP concentration of three benthic organisms with the metal biodisponibility. The selected species were a crustacean, an annelid and a mollusk: Hyalella azteca (Amphipoda: Hyalellidae), Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri (Oligochaeta: Tubificidae) and Stagnicola attenuata (Basommatophora: Lymnaeidae), species that are found at high proportions in the reservoir and use different spaces in the benthos. Samples of sediments and organisms were collected from the PIR during the dry season (February of 1999). Metal concentration (Zn, Fe, Cu and Ni), pH, texture, particle size, total nitrogen and organic matter were determined in sediments. Sublethal studies were carried out using two types of static systems (organisms isolated and in microcosms). Both models contained PIR sediments enriched with Zn (nominal concentration of 0.8129 mg/kg) and synthetic water in a proportion of 1:4. The test organisms were added to the systems once the equilibrium was reached (2 hr) considering the biomass quantity with respect to volume (1.0 g of organism by each 100 ml of water:sediment). After 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hr of exposure, samples of sediment and hydrobionts were taken, and Zn content was quantified by atomic absorption. ATP concentration was also determined in organisms. The effect produced by natural sediments spiked with Zn is increased by the presence of more than one specie in the system (microcosm). With respect to Zn levels, two of the organisms tend to lose this metal in isolated and microcosm models, probably as a regulation strategy in its accumulation, as well as Fe presence in the reservoir sediments. Therefore...

En los cuerpos acuáticos la disponibilidad de los tóxicos es limitada por las características fisicoquímicas de los sedimentos y agua, así como por las interacciones entre los diversos xenobióticos y entre las especies que los habitan. Por lo anterior, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue relacionar el efecto producido por el zinc (Zn) sembrado en sedimentos del embalse Ignacio Ramírez (PIR), en modelos aislados y en microcosmos, sobre el ATP de res organismos bentónicos con la biodisponibilidad del metal. Las especies seleccionadas fueron: Hyalella azteca, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri y Stagnicola attenuata, dado que se encuentran en altas proporciones en el embalse y ocupan espacios diferentes en el bentos. Las muestras de sedimentos y organismos se colectaron en la estación de sequía (febrero de 1999). A los primeros se les determinó el pH, textura, tamaño de partícula, nitrógeno total, materia orgánica y concentración de metales (Zn, Fe, Cu y Ni). Posteriormente se realizó un estudio de toxicidad subletal utilizando dos tipos de sistemas estáticos (organismos aislados y en microcosmos). Ambos modelos contenían sedimentos de la PIR enriquecidos con Zn (concentración nominal de 0.8129 mg/kg) y agua sintética en una proporción de 1:4. Los organismos de prueba fueron adicionados una vez alcanzado el equilibrio (2 hr) considerando la cantidad de biomasa con respecto al volumen (1.0 g de organismo por cada 100 ml de agua:sedimento). Después de 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 y 72 hr de exposición se tomaron muestras del sedimento y de los hidrobiontes, a los cuales se les cuantificó el contenido de Zn por absorción atómica. A los organismos también se les determinó la concentración de ATP. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el efecto producido por los sedimentos naturales enriquecidos se ve potenciado por la presencia de más de una especie en el sistema (microcosmos). Con respecto a los niveles de Zn, dosde los organismos (L. hoffmeisteri y S. attenuata) tienden a...

Influence of dissolved organic matter on nickel bioavailability and toxicity to Hyalella azteca in water-only exposures.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is known to reduce the bioavailability of metals in aquatic systems. This study evaluated the effects of DOM from various sources (e.g., Little Bear Lake sediment, Suwannee River, peat moss) and various DOM fractions (humic acids, HA; fulvic acids, FA) on the bioavailability of nickel (Ni) to Hyalella azteca, a common freshwater benthic invertebrate. In particular, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of surficial sediment DOM on Ni bioavailability. Short-term (48 h) acute toxicity tests with H. azteca conducted in synthetic water demonstrated that the aqueous Ni concentrations required for lethality were greater than what could be significantly complexed by environmentally relevant concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC: 0.6-30.4 mg/L). At Ni concentrations sublethal to H. azteca (500 microg/L), the bioavailability of Ni was significantly reduced in the presence of representative surface water DOC concentrations regardless of DOC source or fraction. DOC fraction (i.e., FA and HA) differentially affected Ni speciation, but had little or no effect on Ni accumulation by H. azteca. Tissue Ni was found to be strongly dependent upon the Ni(2+) concentration in the exposure solutions and the Ni:DOC ratio. Overall, the concentration of DOC played a greater role than either DOC source or fraction in determining Ni speciation and hence bioavailability and toxicity to H. azteca.

[Effect of zinc-enriched sediments, in open and isolated systems, on three species of benthonic invertebrates]. / Efecto de sedimentos naturales enriquecidos con zinc, en modelos aislados y en microcosmos, sobre tres especies de invertebrados bentónicos.

Availability of toxics in aquatic bodies is limited by the physicochemical characteristics of sediments and water, as well as by the interactions between the different xenobiotics and inhabits species. The aim of this work was to relate the effect produced by zinc (Zn) spiked in sediments of the Ignacio Ramirez dam (PIR), in isolated and microcosms models, on ATP concentration of three benthic organisms with the metal biodisponibility. The selected species were a crustacean, an annelid and a mollusk: Hyalella azteca (Amphipoda: Hyalellidae), Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri (Oligochaeta: Tubificidae) and Stagnicola attenuata (Basommatophora: Lymnaeidae), species that are found at high proportions in the reservoir and use different spaces in the benthos. Samples of sediments and organisms were collected from the PIR during the dry season (February of 1999). Metal concentration (Zn, Fe, Cu and Ni), pH, texture, particle size, total nitrogen and organic matter were determined in sediments. Sublethal studies were carried out using two types of static systems (organisms isolated and in microcosms). Both models contained PIR sediments enriched with Zn (nominal concentration of 0.8129 mg/kg) and synthetic water in a proportion of 1:4. The test organisms were added to the systems once the equilibrium was reached (2 hr) considering the biomass quantity with respect to volume (1.0 g of organism by each 100 ml of water:sediment). After 0, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hr of exposure, samples of sediment and hydrobionts were taken, and Zn content was quantified by atomic absorption. ATP concentration was also determined in organisms. The effect produced by natural sediments spiked with Zn is increased by the presence of more than one specie in the system (microcosm). With respect to Zn levels, two of the organisms tend to lose this metal in isolated and microcosm models, probably as a regulation strategy in its accumulation, as well as Fe presence in the reservoir sediments. Therefore, H. azteca maintained a constant Zn levels during the whole experiment. It is possible that the caption rate is so low in this organism that it does not need another regulatory mechanism. A decrement in ATP in worms and amphipods was observed in both systems at all exposure times. Possibly Zn and other metals present in the sediments interfere with the energy production enzymes by binding to SH groups. Nevertheless this biomolecule increased in snails in microcosms at all exposure times and in isolated systems at the end of the experiment, probably due to compensatory mechanisms and reduction in energy consumption present in mollusks during heavy metals exposure.