Over time, these toxins can move up the food chain and accumulate in larger predators. Many generations of each species will be studied to see how contaminants affect them at the cellular level all the way through to the broader population level. Researchers are looking to see if contaminants influence, for example, the number and quality of eggs each female amphipod or mummichog can produce. For the first two years, amphipods, which are small invertebrates that live in the mud, will be studied. As the amphipod sits in the mud, it eats food and then in turn is eaten.
Amphipods are important resources to other animals.
If the mud has contaminants, the researchers believe that the amphipods should show some reaction to them. Although no larger than a half inch, amphipods have a heart, brain, complex eyes and gills. Female amphipods produce between four to 12 eggs during their 30 day lifespan. Amphipods look similar to shrimp, but without the hard tail portion. They are clear with black markings and have a hard shell over their bodies.