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DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY OF COPPER SULFATE AND METHYLENE CHLORIDE TO SHRIMP EMBRYOS
Citation:
Rayburn, J. R. DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY OF COPPER SULFATE AND METHYLENE CHLORIDE TO SHRIMP EMBRYOS. Presented at SETAC Southeast Regional Chapter Annual Spring Symposium, Pensacola Beach, FL, May 09 - 10, 1997.
Impact/Purpose:
Presentation
Description:
The embryos of the grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) have shown sensitivity to the water-soluble fraction of Number 2 fuel oil which indicates they may be a useful test species in estuarine developmental toxicity tests. Detailed concentration-response curves for copper sulfate and methylene chloride were generated in a 4 day and 12 day exposure, and LC50 values were calculated. The 4 day assay included exposure through the time of hatch, a critical life stage of these embryos. The 12 day assay included exposure from tissue cap stage embryos (late gastrula) through 2 days post hatch. The average 4-day LC50s for copper sulfate and methylene chloride were 1.8 mg/L and 0.07% v/v, respectively. The average 12-day LC50s for copper sulfate and methylene chloride were 1.4 mg/L and 0.03% v/v, respectively. Eye malformations were observed with embryos exposed to both copper sulfate and methylene chloride at concentrations greater than 3 mg/L for copper sulfate and 0.07% v/v for methylene chloride. Experiments with copper sulfate showed abnormal development of the larvae as well as embryo malformations at concentrations greater than 1 mg/L. These experiments show that grass shrimp can be used to investigate the effects of environmental toxicants on embryo development and suggest further investigation is warranted.