Effects of two PBDE congeners on the moulting enzymes of the freshwater amphipod Gammarus pulex.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) constitute a class of chemical compounds included to the composition of usual products such as plastics, textiles or electrical equipment, due to their flame retardants properties. Since 2004, PBDEs were banned in Europe and listed as Priority Substances within the European Union Water Frame Work Directive. Unfortunately, the release of PBDEs always occurs in ecosystems due to their presence in products currently in use and new products manufactured using recycled PBDE-containing material. However, only few studies have investigated their impacts on freshwater invertebrates. This work aimed to study the effects of BDE-47 and BDE-99 congeners on the chitobiase and chitinolytic enzymes activities of the freshwater amphipod Gammarus pulex, according to gender, PBDE concentration and time of exposure. In addition, the bioaccumulation of BDE-47 and BDE-99 were measured.
The results revealed that there was a dose-response relationship for the PBDE accumulation in G. pulex, whatever the gender and the PBDE congeners. Female G. pulex bioaccumulated more PBDE than males, and especially BDE-99 which was more accumulated than BDE-47. Moreover, PBDE exposures for 96hrs have caused the inhibition of chitobiase and chitinolytic enzymes activities.
This study not only indicate the importance of taking into account various confounding factors (gender, congeners, concentration) to understand the PBDE effects, but underline also disruptions of enzymes activities involved in the molting process. These disturbances suggest effects on the gammarid development and reproduction, and consequently on the gammarid population.