Effects of temperature on the sensitivity of Gammarus aequicauda (Martynov, 1931) to cadmium

Gammarus aequicauda, collected at different times of the year was used to assess the mortality rates and the sensitivity to cadmium (96 h LC50), at different laboratory temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25 degrees C). The survival in 10 days sediment control test, was high at all tested temperatures, ranging from 4 +/- 1% at 10 degrees C (winter collection) to 13.3 +/- 2.1% at 25 degrees C (spring collection). The 96 h-LC50 values recorded, ranged from 1.50 mgCd/L in winter at 10 degrees C to 0.10 mgCd/L in spring and summer at 25 degrees C. The results showed that temperature and season of collection influenced mortality rates and G. aequicauda sensitivity to cadmium.