The effects of sublethal concentrations of five organophosphorus insecticides on temperature tolerance, reflexes, and orientation in Gambusia affinis affinis (Pisces: Poeciliidae)

Gambusia affinis were exposed to the insecticides ABATE®, fenthion, chlorpyrifos, methyl parathion, and malathion for 24 h at concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 ppb and for 48 h at 5 ppb. The thermal tolerance was lowered significantly for male and female G. affinis by the toxicants methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos at 5 and 10 ppb with 24 h exposure. Activity was restricted with fish exposed to methyl parathion and chlorpyrifos at concentrations of 10 ppb for 24 h and at 5 ppb for 48 h.     

The effects of five organophosphorus insecticides on thermal stress in tadpoles of the Pacific tree frog, Hyla regilla

Three week old tadpoles of Hyla regilla were exposed to the insecticides temephos, fenthion, methyl parathion, chlorpyrifos, and malathion for 24 h at concentrations less than and at field applied rates as recommended for mosquito control in California. The thermal tolerance was significantly lowered by all chemicals and concentrations tested. Chlorpyrifos and methyl parathion were the most active compounds tested whereas malathion was the least toxic to H regilla tadpoles. Activity was depressed, in comparison to control tadpoles, by the chemicals methyl parathion (100 ppb) and malathion (500 ppb).     

Simultaneous analysis of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in cord blood plasma by online solid-phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-heated electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin are the most used insecticides in Taiwan. Exposure to both pesticides has been associated with reproductive and developmental health effects in humans and animals. This study describes an online solid-phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-heated electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (online SPE-LC/HESI/MS/MS) method to analyze chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in cord blood of pregnant women. Calibration curves showed good linearity (r2 > 0.998) for both pesticides within the range of 0.1-100 ppb. Limits of detection (LODs) were 0.01 and 0.05 ppb and recoveries in cord blood were 97.2 ± 4.8% and 93.5 ± 9.5% for chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin respectively. After analysis of 396 samples, the mean concentrations of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin were 0.38 and 1.08 ppb respectively. These results demonstrate that LC/HESI/MS/MS is effective for the simultaneous analysis of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in cord blood with excellent sensitivity and specificity and may also be effective for high throughput assay in future epidemiology studies.     

Larval development of hermit crab Clibanarius longitarsus: Synergistic effect of heavy metals

The levels of heavy metals copper and zinc were found to be high in the Vellar estuary. Therefore their effects on the larval development of the abundant hermit crab Clibanarius longitarsus were studied individually and in combination from hatching till moulting to glaucothoe stage in the laboratory using freshly hatched Artemia nauplii as food. The 96 h LC50 values found with 100 larvae each kept in 10 different concentrations of copper and zinc (350, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 ppb) were 50 ppb for copper and 90 ppb for zinc. Based on these 96 h LC50 values, three sublethal concentrations were chosen for the metals copper and zinc at 50%, 25% and 10% levels of the LC50 values. With increase in concentration of the test medium, the survival rate decreased and the time required for the completion of each zoeal stage increased. Copper was found to be more toxic than zinc as the survival rate in copper concentrations was lower than those in zinc concentrations. The survival rate in the mixed concentrations of metals was lower than in individual concentrations.     

Hydrilla tuber formation in response to single and sequential bensulfuron methyl exposures at different times

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle) grown in outdoor tanks was exposed to bensulfuron methyl concentrations of 25, 50, or 100 ppb on June 16, August 20 or October 15; 50 ppb June 16 and August 20, or 25 ppb on June 16, July 21, August 20, and October 15, 1990, with a 35-day contact time. Hydrilla was also exposed to the compound on August 9, 1991 at concentrations of 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 ppb. In 1990, the August 20 exposure resulted in the greatest inhibition of tuber production for a single application. Exposure in June caused hydrilla to produce at least twice as many tubers as unexposed plants by April 10, 1991. Exposure in October arrested tuber production, which had already begun. Exposure in June and August delayed tuber formation until after February 9, 1991. Exposure in June, July, August, and October inhibited tuber formation for the entire growing season. Hydrilla treated with all concentrations of bensulfuron methyl on August 9, 1991 produced tubers only sporadically through March 16, 1992, compared to unexposed hydrilla, which produced an average of 48 tubers/531 sq cm by January 4, 1992. With the onset of warmer weather after March 16, tubers produced by unexposed hydrilla more than doubled, and comparable numbers of new tubers were produced by plants that were exposed to 10 or 20 ppb. Tuber production was inhibited for the entire growing season by exposure to 50 ppb on August 9, 1991. In spite of the promise that bensulfuron methyl showed for use in aquatic plant management, the Experimental Use Permit was not renewed in 1992 and efforts to register the compound were discontinued.     

四种基质表面上常规杀虫剂对四纹豆象的药效评价（英文）

在害虫治理中, 在消费或贮藏粮食加工产品的建筑设施或场所进行害虫防治需要将杀虫剂施用在各种基质表面上。为了测定不同基质表面上杀虫剂的药效, 将四纹豆象Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)成虫接触田间推荐剂量的阿维菌素、 溴氰菊酯和毒死蜱。结果表明： 施用在玻璃、 瓷砖、 塑料和纸盘表面上, 阿维菌素对四纹豆象成虫的致死率分别为63.33%, 22.41%, 12.9%和11.9%, 而溴氰菊酯在这4种基质表面上对四纹豆象成虫的致死率分别为 55%, 44.2%, 41.3%和 37.4%。在所有基质表面上接触毒死蜱, 四纹豆象成虫的死亡率均为100%。对数据进行的Probit 分析表明, 毒死蜱制剂在玻璃、 瓷砖、 塑料和纸盘上对四纹豆象成虫 的LC₅₀ 值分别为 8.66, 13.6, 29.16和 56.5 μg/mL, 阿维菌素制剂的相应数值分别为119.4, 446.2, 774.2 和 836.4 μg/mL, 溴氰菊酯制剂的相应数值分别为 1 008, 1 131, 1 210和 1 336 μg/mL。据此推断, 毒死蜱对四纹豆象的毒性最强, 且在玻璃、 瓷砖、 塑料和纸盘表面上的毒性依次降低。     

Chlorpyrifos bioremediation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pennisetum</Emphasis> rhizosphere by a novel potential degrader <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</Emphasis> MHF ENV20

Rhizoremediation is a specific type of phytoremediation involving both plants and their rhizosphere associated microbes. In the present study Pennisetum pedicellatum and rhizosphere associated degrading strains were evaluated for chlorpyrifos remediation. Time-course pot experiments were conducted in greenhouse with P. pedicellatum grown in soil amended with chlorpyrifos at the concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg for 60 days. The half life of chlorpyrifos varied from 19.25 to 13.02 days in planted treatments. Residual concentrations of chlorpyrifos were negatively correlated with abundance of degrading microorganisms in rhizosphere. The isolated species of Bacillus, Rhodococcus and Stenotrophomonas were evaluated for their degrading potential in mineral medium. A novel isolated strain of potential degrader Stenotrophomonas maltophilia named as MHF ENV20 showed better survival and degradation at high concentration of chlorpyrifos. Degradation of chlorpyrifos by strain MHF ENV20, 100, 50 and 33.3% degradation within the time period of 48 h (h), 72 and 120 h at 50,100 and 150 mg/kg concentrations, further the gene encoding the organophosphorous hydrolase (mpd) was amplified using PCR amplification strategy and predesigned primers. Our findings indicate that rhizosphere remediation is effective bioremediation technique to remove chlorpyrifos residues from soil. P. pedicellatum itself, in addition to the rhizosphere bacterial consortium, seemed to play an important role in reducing chlorpyrifos level in soil. High chlorpyrifos tolerance and rhizospheric degradation capability of P. pedicellatum, makes this plant suitable for decontamination and remediation of contaminated sites. The ability to survive at higher concentration of chlorpyrifos and enhanced degrading potential due to presence of mpd gene make S. maltophilia MHF ENV20 an ideal candidate for its application in chlorpyrifos remediation.     

In vivo study on combined toxicity of Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) strain ESC-1 with sublethal doses of chlorpyrifos, propetamphos, and cyfluthrin against German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

The effect of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin strain ESC-1 alone and in combination with sublethal doses of commercial formulations of chlorpyrifos, propetamphos and cyfluthrin on mortality of CSMA strain of German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), was determined by conducting in vivo studies that included 3 bioassays. Spores of M. anisopliae cultured on SDAY media had germination of >90%. Based on bioassay 1, doses ranging from 0.5 to 300 ppm of chlorpyrifos and propetamphos, and 0.05 to 40 ppm of cyfluthrin were selected for bioassays 2 and 3. Cockroach mortality ranged from 5 to 20% for insecticides alone and 48 to 70% for insecticides + M. anisopliae in bioassay 2. In bioassay 3, mortality ranged from 15 to 60% for insecticides and 57.5 to 92.5% for insecticides + M. anisopliae. Percentage of cockroach mortality resulting from insecticide + M. anisopliae combinations was significantly higher than insecticide alone. Mortality was also significantly higher in certain insecticide + M. anisopliae combinations than M. anisopliae alone. There was no significant interaction between M. anisopliae and insecticides with their concentrations in bioassay 2, indicating an additive effect. But in bioassay 3, a significant interaction was observed when M. anisopliae was combined with multiple insecticide concentrations. The interaction indicated an additive effect for chlorpyrifos and cyfluthrin, and a synergistic effect for propetamphos. There were significant differences in LT50 among various treatment combinations. M. anisopliae alone or insecticide + M. anisopliae combinations did not affect body weight in treated German cockroaches.     

Is there a feedback between N availability in siliceous and calcareous soils and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Cistus albidus</Emphasis> leaf chemical composition?

The effects of the Mediterranean shrub Cistus albidus on N cycling were studied in two siliceous (granitic-derived and schistic-derived) and one calcareous soil differentiated by their texture and acidity. We aimed to find out whether soils under C. albidus were affected by the release of C compounds from the canopy, and whether phenolic compound production in C. albidus changed depending on the soil N availability. Calcareous soils, with higher clay content and polyvalent cations, had a higher organic matter content but lower net N mineralization rates than siliceous soils, and C. albidus growing therein were characterized by lower foliar N and phenolic compound concentrations. Under C. albidus, all types of soils had higher phenolic compound concentrations and polyphenol oxidase activity. C. albidus presence and leachate addition decreased net N mineralization and increased soil respiration in siliceous soils, and these changes were related to a higher soil C/N ratio under the canopy. In calcareous soils, however, no significant effects of plant presence on N cycling were found. In the studied plant-soil system it is not likely that higher phenolic compound concentrations were selected during evolution to enhance nutrient conservation in soil because (1) higher phenolic compound concentrations were not associated with lower soil fertilities, (2) C compounds released from C. albidus accelerated N cycling by increasing N immobilization and no evidence was found for decreased gross N mineralization, and (3) soil organic N content was more related to soil chemical and physical properties than to the effects of the C. albidus canopy.     

A comparative account of the life cycles of Lumbricillus lineatus Mull. and Enchytraeus albidus Henle in relation to temperature

Compared with Lumbricillus lineatus the cocoons of Enchytraeus albidus are smaller and contain fewer eggs whilst the egg production per worm is higher and sterility among the eggs lower. The fecundity of E. albidus is greater over a temperature range 1–25 and is not so adversely affected at the higher or lower temperatures as L. lineatus. Incubation in E. albidus is longer than in L. lineatus but the time required for maturation is much shorter, the periods depending upon the temperature. There is a similar relation to temperature as in the case of fecundity, with E. albidus again more tolerant to heat and cold. There is no relation between size and temperature but unlike L. lineatus , growth occurs after maturation in E. albidus and its cocoons (after the first) and their egg content are larger. There is no apparent relation between the setae length and temperature. The temperature relations favour a more rapid increase of E. albidus in the bacteria beds than of L. lineatus but they are well suited to the distribution of the species under natural conditions, E. albidus favouring a terrestrial habitat whereas L. lineatus exists in moister places. Further, they show specific physiological differences distinguishing the two species of worms.     

亚致死浓度吡虫啉和毒死蜱对柑橘木虱成虫组织蛋白酶基因表达的影响

昆虫组织蛋白酶属于多功能酶系,在昆虫生命活动中具有重要作用,但昆虫组织蛋白酶对化学农药的响应却鲜有报道。吡虫啉和毒死蜱是目前防治柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri常用的化学药剂。本研究旨在探究吡虫啉和毒死蜱亚致死浓度处理对柑橘木虱成虫组织蛋白酶基因表达的影响。本研究基于柑橘木虱的转录组数据库,同时结合NCBI数据库,通过Blast比对鉴定得到8个柑橘木虱组织蛋白酶基因,序列分析得出其均属于半胱氨酸蛋白酶家族且含有保守的组氨酸活性位点。研究采用浸叶法处理得到经吡虫啉和毒死蜱处理24 h对柑橘木虱成虫的致死中浓度LC50分别为97.88 mg/L和47.94 mg/L。采用荧光定量PCR（qPCR）分析这两种药剂亚致死浓度（LC20和LC50）胁迫下柑橘木虱成虫组织蛋白酶基因表达水平变化。结果表明吡虫啉胁迫显著下调柑橘木虱DcCath-B,DcCath-F,DcCath-L和DcCath-L1基因表达量;毒死蜱LC20浓度胁迫显著下调柑橘木虱DcCath-B,DcCath-L和DcCath-W基因表达量,LC50浓度胁迫下仅DcCath-B表达量显著下调,其他基因表达无明显差异。以上结果表明吡虫啉和毒死蜱亚致死浓度胁迫下,柑橘木虱成虫下调表达体内部分组织蛋白酶基因以响应此逆境。本研究为探索亚致死浓度吡虫啉和毒死蜱对柑橘木虱的毒理机制提供了一定的理论依据。     

Susceptibility of the Australian freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor albidus to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)

Cherax destructor occurs naturally and/or is farmed in all Australian mainland states and territories and is of major cultural, economical and conservation significance. The aim of this study was to determine susceptibility of the commercially important subspecies C. destructor albidus to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a hazard to crustaceans and currently considered to be exotic to Australia. In challenge tests by intramuscular injection, C. destructor albidus displayed a similar level of susceptibility to white spot disease (WSD) as Penaeus monodon (i.e. 100% mortality in 3 d). In one oral challenge test where C. destructor albidus was subjected to significant temperature stress, over 50% died of severe WSD within 14 d post challenge. All dead and moribund crayfish displayed histopathological lesions typical for WSD and gave positive results for WSSV in DNA dot blot hybridization tests. Survivors to 30 d (n = 3) showed no lesions and gave negative dot blot test results. In a second oral challenge test without temperature stress, mortality was delayed but reached 75% by 30 d. However, no typical WSD lesions were observed in the dead, dying or surviving crayfish and dot blot test results were negative. The results suggested that C. destructor albidus would be less susceptible than P. monodon to WSSV exposure via natural routes of infection in farms and in the wild. This information may be useful for disease import risk analysis for WSSV.     

不同温度下毒死蜱和噻嗪酮对褐飞虱的毒力作用

为了明确温度对杀虫剂毒杀作用的影响,本文研究了5个温度梯度(22℃、25℃、28℃、31℃和34℃)下毒死蜱和噻嗪酮对褐飞虱的毒杀作用。结果表明毒死蜱在不同温度下对褐飞虱的毒力变化与噻嗪酮有所不同。处理时间相同时毒死蜱的LC50随温度升高而逐渐下降。毒死蜱处理24 h、72 h、120 h时,毒死蜱对褐飞虱的LC_(50)在22℃下分别的50.15、16.15和15.33 mg/L,而在34℃下分别降低为6.70、4.16和1.92 mg/L。在实验的5个温度下,噻嗪酮对褐飞虱的LC_(50)没有显著差异。同一温度下,噻嗪酮的LC50随处理时间的增加而降低,但没有显著差异。在全球变暖的大环境下,明确温度对毒死蜱和噻嗪酮的毒力影响状况,对于杀虫剂的合理使用具有一定的指导意义。     

Toxicity assessment of insecticides commonly used in rice pest management to the fry of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, a food fish culturable in rice fields

Toxicity of four insecticides commonly used in rice pest management, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, carbaryl and carbosulfan, to the fry of common carp was assessed through median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) and in vivo inhibition of the brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme at sublethal concentrations. The 96‐h LC₅₀ values for these four insecticides were determined to be 0.008, 26.11, 7.85 and 0.60 mg L^?1 respectively. Exposure of fish to a series of sublethal concentrations (0.5–5% LC₅₀) of each insecticide for 14 days resulted in concentration‐dependent inhibition in AChE activity in comparison with the controls. AChE activity was greatly inhibited in the fish exposed to sublethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos. Upon transfer to insecticide‐free water, AChE activities in fry exposed to 0.5 and 1% LC₅₀ concentrations of carbaryl and carbosulfan were restored to the control level within 7–21 days whereas the fish exposed to chlorpyrifos or dimethoate did not fully recover from the insecticide‐induced anticholinesterase action. Of the four insecticides tested, chlorpyrifos was the most toxic for the fry of common carp. Although dimethoate was least toxic for the fish under acute exposure, the restoration level of normal AChE activity was slower under chronic exposure in comparison with carbaryl and carbosulfan. Hence, the use of carbamates, especially carbaryl, to control insect pests of rice in rice‐cum‐carp culture systems is recommended when considering survival, restoration of the normal AChE activity and stamina of the cultured fish.     

Toxicity of fipronil to German and American cockroaches

Topical and oral toxicity of fipronil, compared to chlorpyrifos, was determined for the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), and American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.). Fipronil and Combat bait matrices were evaluated for their attractancies to both species. In the topical toxicity tests, LD50's of fipronil, at 72 h after topical application, were 0.03 and 0.02 µg/g for adult B. germanica and P. americana, respectively. Fipronil was significantly more toxic than topically applied chlorpyrifos (LD50's were 0.06 and 0.16 µg/g for B. germanica and P. americana, respectively). The oral toxicity of fipronil and chlorpyrifos in Petri dish experiments, against both species, was affected by stage (for B. germanica), diet concentration, and feeding assay. Fipronil caused higher mortality of B. germanica than chlorpyrifos in two feeding assays (continuous and abbreviated). Both compounds were equally toxic to adult males of P. americana at all rates. Fipronil caused higher nymphal mortality than chlorpyrifos 48–72 h after exposure in both feeding assays. In large population chamber tests, fipronil bait was more effective and faster in killing P. americana than Raid and Combat. LT50's were 0.8, 2.4, and 7.6 d for fipronil, Raid (a.i. = chlorpyrifos), and Combat (a.i. = hydramethylnon) baits, respectively. Mortality reached 96.5, 93.4, and 84.6%, respectively, at the end of the 14 d test. In the bait attractancy tests, both strains of B. germanica were attracted similarly to fipronil and Combat bait matrices. P. americana were attracted more to fipronil than to Combat bait matrix or to other alternative foods.     

不同类型杀虫剂对烟粉虱捕食性天敌日本刀角瓢虫的毒力

采用试管药膜法,测定了不同类型杀虫剂对日本刀角瓢虫Serangium japonicum Chapin的毒力。结果表明,灭多威和敌敌畏对日本刀角瓢虫具有极强的毒力,其25%推荐剂量即可导致日本刀角瓢虫全部死亡;氯虫苯甲酰胺、吡虫啉和噻虫嗪对日本刀角瓢虫也具有很强的毒力,其田间推荐剂量可导致日本刀角瓢虫全部死亡,其50%推荐剂量对日本刀角瓢虫的致死率也高达73.33%～100.00%;乐果、烯啶虫胺、丁醚脲田间推荐剂量对日本刀角瓢虫的致死率分别为40.00%、56.67%、50.00%,预示着上述这些杀虫剂的田间应用对刀角瓢虫具有很高的直接杀伤风险。高效氯氰菊酯、联苯菊酯、毒死蜱、甲氰菊酯、高效氯氟氰菊酯、虫螨腈、阿维菌素、吡蚜酮、噻嗪酮、定虫隆和氟虫脲对日本刀角瓢虫的毒力较低甚至没有直接致死作用。研究结果将为合理使用杀虫剂,协调利用化学防治与生物防治对烟粉虱进行综合防治提供依据。     

三种杀虫剂对皂角豆象的致死效果

【目的】筛选对皂角豆象Megabruchidius dorsalis(Fahraeus)致死效果最好的杀虫剂。【方法】采用氟啶脲、毒死蜱和灭多威3种常用类型杀虫剂的常规剂量对皂角豆象成虫、初孵幼虫和卵进行防治试验。【结果】3种杀虫剂都可以有效的杀死皂角豆象初孵幼虫,接触氟啶脲、毒死蜱和灭多威3种杀虫剂后皂角豆象幼虫72 h死亡率分别为96.59%、100.00%和100.00%,灭多威和毒死蜱对皂角豆象成虫致死效果72 h为100.00%,灭多威对皂角豆象卵的效果最为明显,致死率达94.38%,氟啶脲对皂角豆象卵和成虫无明显致死效果。【结论】灭多威对皂角豆象的致死效果最好。     

Effect of diflubenzuron on immature stages of Haematobia irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) in Uberlândia,State of Minas Gerais,Brazil

Horn fly immatures were raised in media containing different concentrations of diflubenzuron in order to verify their susceptibility to this insect growth regulator (IGR). The 50% and 95% lethal concentrations of diflubenzuron for the population (LC50, LC95) were determined as well as the effect of this IGR on the different immature horn fly stages. The tests were performed using the progeny of adults collected in the field. The immatures were maintained in a growth chamber at 25.0 +/- 0.5oC and 12-12 h photoperiod. IGR concentrations of 300 ppb, 100 ppb and 50 ppb were lethal for 100% of the sample. Pupae malformation occurred in the breeding media containing different diflubenzuron concentrations. Values for LC50, LC95 (+/- 95% fiducial limits) and the slope of the regression line were respectively, 25.521 +/- 1.981 ppb, 34.650 +/- 2.001 ppb and 12.720 +/- 1.096. The third larval instar was more sensitive to the sub-lethal concentration of the product than the first and second ones were. The results indicate that this IGR can be an important tool for controlling horn fly populations as well as for managing horn fly resistance to conventional insecticides against Haematobia irritans in Uberlandia, State of Minas Gerais.     

Characterization of a fungal strain capable of degrading chlorpyrifos and its use in detoxification of the insecticide on vegetables

A fungal strain capable of utilizing chlorpyrifos as sole carbon and energy sources was isolated from soil by enrichment cultivation approach. The half-lives of degradation (DT₅₀) for chlorpyrifos at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 mg l⁻¹ by the fungal strain DSP in mineral salt medium were measured to be 2.03, 2.93, and 3.49 days, respectively. Two cell-free extracts [E (1:10) and E (1:20)] from the fungal strain DSP in bran–glucose medium were prepared and used to enhance chlorpyrifos degradation on vegetables. Compared with the controls, the DT₅₀ of chlorpyrifos were reduced by 70.3%, 65.6%, 80.6%, 80.6%, and 86.1%, and by 53.8%, 43.2%, 66.0%, 54.3%, and 67.7% on E (1:20) and E (1:10) treated pakchoi, water spinach, Malabar spinach, haricot beans, and pepper, respectively. The 7-day residual values (R ₇) of chlorpyrifos on E (1:10) treated vegetables were all lower than the corresponding maximum residue levels of European Union (EU MRLs), except that the R ₇ value on haricot beans was slightly higher than the corresponding EU MRLs. The results indicate that cell-free extracts could rapidly degrade chlorpyrifos residues on vegetables.     

Toxicity of Chemically Spiked Sediment to the Carpet Shell Clam Ruditapes decussatus Embryos and Larvae

The objective of this research was to assess the toxicity of sediment contaminated with cadmium, DDT, chlorpyrifos, and fluoranthene to embryos and larvae of the European clam Ruditapes decussatus, exposed to two sediment fractions, the whole sediment and elutriate. The percentages of abnormal D-shaped larvae and larval mortality have been investigated. The median effective concentration (EC50) values, reducing 50% of the percentage of D-shaped larvae, in whole sediments and elutriates were, respectively, 1.17 mg/kg and 417.1 μgl^?1 (3.71 μM) for cadmium, 1.66 mg/kg and 97.8 μgl^?1 (0.48 μM) for fluoranthene, 1.71 mg/kg and 384.8 μgl^?1 (1.08 μM) for DDT, and 0.96 mg/kg and 339.5 μgl^?1 (0.96 μM) for chlorpyrifos. The 96h-median lethal concentrations (LC50) reducing larval survival by 50% were 4.04 mg/kg 654.3 μgl^?1 (5.82 μM) for cadmium, 17.41 mg/kg 8666.6 μgl^?1 (42.84 μM) for fluoranthene, 3.93 mg/kg and 457.4 μgl^?1 (1.29 μM) for DDT, and 2.53 mg/kg and 308.06 μgl^?1 (0.87 μM) for chlorpyrifos. Based on EC₅₀ and LC₅₀ comparisons to toxicity data for other marine species, these findings suggest that the R. decussatus embryotoxicity and larvae mortality bioassay were among the most sensitive tools for sediment quality assessment.