Haem biosynthesis in the freshwater macroinvertebrate Gammarus pulex (L.): effects of copper and lindane

The influence of copper and lindane on the haem biosynthetic pathway of Gammarus pulex (L.) was assessed by measuring the concentrations of free protoporphyrin in animals which had been maintained in uncontaminated water or toxicant solutions. The concentration of protoporphyrin was found to be significantly increased in animals exposed for 240 h to 7.7 μg l−1 of copper or 4.5 μg l−1 of lindane. The possible significance of this increase is discussed.