Sensitivity of a widespread groundwater copepod to different contaminants

Groundwater is an indispensable resource for humankind and sustainable biomes functioning. Anthropogenic disturbance threatens groundwater ecosystems globally, but to which extent organisms respond stressors remains poorly understood. animals are rare, with small populations, difficult find breed in the lab, poses a main challenge assessment of their responses pollutants. Despite difficulties, assessing toxicity large spectrum priority inform towards appropriate environmental protection these ecosystems. We tested sensitivity CuSO4, diclofenac, NaCl population copepod Diacyclops crassicaudis compared its model organism Daphnia magna. ranked using species distribution (SSD) approach feasible data available surface crustaceans. Our results show that most toxic compound was CuSO4 higher amount recorded wider variability response observed. It followed by largely lacking groundwater-adapted organisms, least NaCl. The differential between D. magna contaminant-dependent. As general trend always distributed upper part SSD curves together other organisms. highlight widespread populations complex, can be successfully may provide reasonable assess ecological effects anthropogenic