Comparison of the Effects of Copper and its Combined Action with Lanthanum in the Amphipod under Chronic Multifunctional Biotesting Conditions

Pollution of the aquatic environment by metals must be considered taking into account their probable combinations and emerging chronic effects. The spectrum of effects of copper and its combined action with lanthanum was first determined in the amphipod Saussure, 1858 in a chronic experiment (40 days). The effect of solutions containing equimolar calculated concentrations of “Cu” ions and combinations of “Cu and La” (1 : 1) was modeled in two variants – 0.16 and 0.8 µmol/l per metal or their sum. Solutions with a higher concentration naturally had a more pronounced effect on amphipods. The effects of the metal mixture exceeded their individual effect (0.8 µmol/l). In solutions with a combination of “Cu and La”, the death of individuals was 2.5 times greater, the linear dimensions and mass of individuals were 1.1 and 1.4 times lower compared with similar indicators for the “Cu” variant. In combined solutions, the leveling of sexual dimorphism according to these signs was recorded. The trophic activity of amphipods tended to increase in variants with a mixture of metals compared with the action of copper and control. Thus, an increase in the action of copper in the presence of lanthanum is shown. Consequently, the risks associated with rare earth elements entering the environment require revision.