Low sensitivity of reproductive life-stages in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) to abamectin

Chemosphere
Laura J FalkenbergCraig A Styan

Abstract

Hard surfaces submerged in the marine environment often become colonised by macro-organisms unless the surfaces have some form of biofouling protection. While protective paints that contain tributyltin or copper work well to prevent biofouling, release of these materials into the environment has been shown to have wider negative impacts. Consequently, new low-release antifouling paints are being developed with alternative active ingredients, such as avermectins, yet little is known about their potential effects on non-target organisms in marine environments. Here we investigated the toxicity of a key avermectin, specifically abamectin, on several aspects of reproduction (sperm motility, fertilisation success, early larval development) in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. Oyster reproduction was generally insensitive to the low concentrations of abamectin, although greater concentrations of abamectin did negatively affect all three endpoints - LOECs were 1000 μg l(-1), 500 μg l(-1), and 100 μg l(-1) abamectin for sperm motility, fertilisation success, and larval development, respectively. A similar pattern was found in the EC50s of the three endpoints (mean ± SE) 934 ± 59 μg l(-1), 1076.26 ± 725.61 μg l(-1), and 140 ± 78 μg...Continue Reading

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