Bioaccumulation of copper by Gammarus pulex (L., 1758): monitoring through a statistical modelling approach

The aim of this study is to test freshwater gammarids as ecotoxicological biomarkers. Gammarids were collected from fresh water and adapted to the laboratory environment. Then, the influence of various variables was investigated. For monitoring and detecting the bioaccumulation level in Gammarus pulex exposed to controlled copper ions and to evaluate potential human and ecological risks, the use of G. pulex as sentinel indicators of water quality is one rational approach. Copper bioaccumulation rate and fate are currently not sufficiently studied. For optimization, the experimental conditions to ensure bioaccumulation level and to find the effects of various variables on proses, a Box–Behnken experimental design was performed. Used mentioned model with statistical underpinnings for Cu2+ ions bioaccumulation have been analyzed, tested and verified and the viability of G. pulex as a biomonitor. The variables’ optimum levels (temperature; 18.1, pH; 4.3, initial concentration of Cu2+ ions, mg L−1; 11.2 and exposure time, h; 42.2) were achieved by employing the quadratic regression model. Critical role of G. pulex in freshwater biomonitoring and their potential to be evaluated as biomarkers for Cu2+ ions was confirmed. It was also explored to see if G. pulex may serve as a potential tool for estimating aquatic quality.