Some effects of methylmercury and lindane on sodium regulation in the amphipod Gammarus duebeni during changes in the salinity of its medium

Abstract

1. Gammarus duebeni exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of methylmercury or lindane in 2% sea water for 1–4 days showed significant reductions in haemolymph sodium concentration. Such lindane-treated animals still had lowered sodium concentrations after subsequent period of 7 days in clean 2% sea water. 2. Prior treatment with sub-lethal concentrations of methylmercury or lindane resulted in delays of 80 and 120 min respectively in the time required for G. duebeni to increase active sodium uptake when transferred from 100 to 2% sea water, and also depressed maximal and steady-state sodium transport rates.