The induction of stress proteins (hsp) in Oniscus asellus (Isopoda) as a molecular marker of multiple heavy metal exposure. II: Joint toxicity and transfer to field situations

Abstract

In laboratory toxicity tests, woodlice (Oniscus asellus) exposed to a variety of different combinations of the metals cadmium, lead, and zinc exhibited a broad range in intensity of the induction of the 70 kDa stress protein (hsp70, stress-70). Using two-dimensional isobolograms and the ‘toxic unit’ concept, it could be shown that cadmium and lead as well as cadmium and zinc or lead and zinc act as synergists and cause superadditive effects on the stress response of these animals. Using a three- dimensional isobologram based on the stress-70 level in response to numerous combinations of all three tested metals, transfer to the field could be achieved: data obtained from O. asellus populations abundant at field sites, the soils of which are influenced mainly by different concentrations of these heavy metals, were found to fit this laboratory test-based model