Comparison of the acute toxicity of tributyltin and copper to veliger larvae of Nassarius reticulatus (L.)

Abstract

The ban on the use of tributyltin (TBT) is promoting an increasing use of copper as an active biocide in antifouling paints, with consequent rising levels of this metal in the environment. This study assesses the acute toxicity of copper and tributyltin to the larvae of the mollusc gastropod Nassarius reticulatus. Recently hatched veligers were exposed to nominal TBT-Sn concentrations of 0.9, 1.4, 1.9, 2.8, 3.8, 4.7 and 5.6 µg l −1 and nominal copper concentrations of 9.4, 23.4, 46.9, 70.3, 93.8, 117.2, 140.6 and 164.1 µg l −1 for up to 96 h, under static conditions (17 ± 1 • C and 33 ± 1 psu). The percentage of larval mortality was determined for each organometal/metal concentration and exposure time (1, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h). Both TBT and copper had a highly significant effect on larvae survival (p < 0.001) for all times of exposure, except for the first hour in the particular case of TBT. The lowest observed effect concentration for TBT-Sn decreased over time from 3.8 µg l −1 at 24 h to 1.9 µg l −1 at 96 h, whereas for copper it remained constant over time (46.9 µg l −1 ). The median lethal concentration (LC 50 ) for TBT-Sn decreased from 4.87 µg l −1 at 24 h to 1.78 µg l −1 at 96 h, and the LC 50 for copper decreased from 83.08 µg l −1 at 24 h to 58.84 µg l −1 at 96 h. TBT is far more toxic to N. reticulatus larvae than copper. However, owing to the higher copper environmental concentrations, the risk factors of the two biocides may approach each other. This stresses the need to find adequate substitutes for organotin biocides in future antifouling paints.

Effect of tributyltin (TBT) in the metabolic activity of TBT‐resistant and sensitive estuarine bacteria

“…Therefore, the chronic negative effects of TBT, even in low concentrations, are worrisome. Indeed, a wide variety of organisms are affected by this compound (Fent, 1996; Bekri and Pelletier, 2004; Sousa et al, 2005; Thomas et al, 2005).…”

A chronic toxicity test for the tropical marine snail Nassarius dorsatus to assess the toxicity of copper, aluminium, gallium, and molybdenum

“…Previous acute toxicity studies indicate that tropical marine gastropods can be relatively sensitive to Cu. These studies include assessment of growth and activity of snail larvae , neonate survival , and adult survival and feeding . Temperate marine gastropods are also reported as being highly sensitive to acute exposures to a range of contaminants .…”

Pollutant Diseases, Remediation and Recycling

“…Shell thickening Langston (1990), WHO (1990), Bryan and Gibbs (1991), , Horiguchi (2009b), Sousa et al (2005aSousa et al ( , 2009b, , Hagger et al (2006) …”