Assessing the sublethal responses of metal spiked sediments with a marine amphipod

Marine amphipods (Stegocephalus inflatus) were exposed to sediments artificially spiked with cadmium (0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2 mg/kg) and copper (4, 12, 20, 28 mg/kg) using cadmium chloride and copper sulphate, respectively. After a 10-day exposure period, the endpoints measured included sediment avoidance and the ability of the amphipods to rebury in control sediments. Results showed that with increasing sediment concentrations of cadmium and copper there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in sediment avoidance by amphipods as well as a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the ability of amphipods to rebury in control sediments. Amphipods exposed to sediments with high levels of cadmium or copper appeared to minimize their exposure by avoiding contact with the metal-spiked sediments.