Although a number of biomarkers of pollutant exposure have been identified in invertebrate species, direct linkage with changes at population and/or community levels are poorly documented and, despite the ecological importance of invertebrates, there is no conclusive evidence that individual measurements of biochemical parameters may allow the effects of pollutants on populations and communities to be predicted. Among the various biochemical parameters used as biomarkers in invertebrates exposed to pollutants in the field, only those for which changes at population or community level can be suggested are discussed in the present review. At population and community levels, the development of resistance to pesticides and changes in behaviour, reproduction and development are analysed as putative consequences of biochemical and physiological alterations. Limits to the use of biochemical parameters as biomarkers of invertebrate exposure to pollutants are discussed. Future research trends and experimental approaches to the validation of invertebrate biomarkers in environmental pollution assessment are suggested.

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Two insecticides, lindane (321 tg 1 -') and deltamethrin (13 tg 1 -1 ) were employed in a four mesocosm experiment (two ponds of 10 m 3 and two of 16 m 3) to asses the impact of water pollution by pesticides . Resistance of the different zooplankton species was variable and depended upon both the group and the insecticide concentration . No effect of lindane was observed on macrozooplancton such as Cladocera and Copepoda . In the deltamethrin-treated pond, all species of zooplankton were found dead a day after the treatment . The microzooplankton (Rotifera and copepod nauplii) were highly susceptible to both insecticides . Although the larvae of Chaoborus were present in the ponds after the treatments, their density decreased (less than 1 individual 1 -') . The elimination of filter-feeding zooplankton by deltamethrin was followed by an increase of the concentration of chlorophyll a in the post-treatment period . Two months later the original zooplankton population recovered, with the addition of a new and dominant species : Ceriodaphnia reticulata .

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