Embryotoxicity characterization of the flame retardant tris(1‐chloro‐2‐propyl)phosphate (TCPP) in the invertebrate chordate Ciona intestinalis

Abstract

Tris(1‐chloro‐2‐propyl)phosphate (TCPP) is the most common chlorinated organophosphorus flame retardant in seawater. Due to its chemical features and abundance, TCPP has been classified as a high hazard, and restrictions of use have been set in multiple countries. Despite TCPP being highly present in the marine environment, only a few studies have explored the TCPP impact on the development of marine invertebrates. Ascidians are important invertebrate members of benthic marine communities and reliable model systems for ecotoxicological research. The aim of this study was to assess the adverse effects of TCPP exposure on the embryogenesis of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Our results showed that this pollutant affected both muscles and nervous system development. Malformations appeared similar to those reported in other animal models for other flame retardants, suggesting that these molecules could share a common mechanism of action and induce a mixture effect when simultaneously present in the aquatic environment even at sub‐teratogenic concentrations.

Serotonin Receptors and Their Involvement in Melanization of Sensory Cells in Ciona intestinalis

“…To describe gene expression profiles during embryogenesis and investigate WAY100635 effects, a protocol for whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) was employed as previously described [ 51 ]. Briefly, after rehydration, embryos and larvae were permeabilized with proteinase K, post-fixed in MOPS fixative, and pre-hybridized in 50% formamide, 5 × SSC, 100 μg/mL yeast RNA, 50 μg/mL heparin, and 0.1% Tween-20 at 50 °C for 2 h. Hybridization was performed overnight.…”

Conservation Studies on Groundwaters’ Pollution: Challenges and Perspectives for Stygofauna Communities

“…Numerous pollutants may act as anthropogenic stressors for stygofauna, as recently highlighted by an extensive review on the subject [32]. These pollutants include pesticides, fertilizers, metal, salt water, different volatile organic compounds (including aromatic compounds such as benzene), and likely also different emerging pollutants such as microplastics and flame retardant tris (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) [32,38]. The recent review of Castano-Sanchez, Hose and Reboleira [32] was quite exhaustive, thus it is preferable for readers to refer to it.…”

“…For the purposes of this perspective, it is important to underline how the effects of these pollutants were observed in both stygophile and stygobiont species by generally measuring in experimental conditions the mortality of field collected individuals [32,39]. Most studies deal with single species, and the effects on the whole groundwater community remain to be assessed; additionally, the choice of the organisms is not mainly based on their functional role they play in the community but on a few abundant and easy-to-sample model species [38,40,41].…”

Morphological Study and 3D Reconstruction of the Larva of the Ascidian Halocynthia roretzi

“…They can colonize different natural and artificial substrates and can modify the primary substrate providing habitats for other organisms. Thus, ascidians are considered essential members of the benthic communities contributing to increased ecosystem complexity and biodiversity [3] and have been proposed as valuable model organisms to test coastal water pollution [4][5][6]. Ascidians also have economic importance since some species, such as Halocynthia roretzi, are commercially reared for human consumption [7,8].…”

“…For this reason, H. roretzi is one of the most studied ascidians: its genome is compact with about 16,000 protein-coding genes [9] and its development is known in detail [10]. Other species (such as Ciona intestinalis) are potential food and biofuel sources [4]. Some ascidians (such as Botryllus schlosseri and Botrylloides violaceus) are considered invasive organisms in marinas and also fouling organisms in marine aquaculture, and their presence results in economic loss [11].…”