Modeling Approach with Box-Behnken Design for Optimization of Pb Bioaccumulation Parameters in Gammarus pulex (L., 1758)

Pollution of the aquatic systems is a severe environmental problem and due mostly to anthropogenic activities (1, 2). Industrial contaminants, especially heavy metals, are toxic and pose a serial risk to human health and the aquatic flora and fauna (3). Heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, and lead do not decompose in the environment, so their concentrations must be monitored to admissible levels (4). Lead is hazardous even at trace levels, is used in industrial processes including paints and leaded gasoline, glass and batteries (5, 3, 6), and can lead to disorders of the liver, kidneys, heart, in addition to severe damage to erythrocytes and leucocytes resulting in susceptibility to infections (7, 8).