Variation in toxicity of copper pyrithione among populations and families of the barnacle, Balanus amphitrite

Abstract

Inter- and intra-population variation in the toxicity of the antifouling biocide copper pyrithione (CuPT) was examined for nauplius larvae of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite. Nauplii were collected from brooding adults from four sites within the Newport River estuary (NC), chosen based on an initial estimation of recent and historical human activities that affect local contamination levels. Each site was characterized for the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and for the frequency of gastropod imposex, an indicator of contamination by organotins. Sensitivity of nauplii to CuPT varied significantly across the sites/populations, with LC(50) values ranging from 4.0 microg l(-1) to 6.1 microg l(-1). Larvae from the most contaminated site were the most sensitive to CuPT. Intrapopulation variation in toxicity was investigated by exposing nauplius larvae from 15 maternal families to a fixed concentration of CuPT (6.1 microg l(-1)). Variation in larval mortality among the families was significant, ranging from 15.1% to 98.9%.

Local variation within marinas: Effects of pollutants and implications for invasive species

“…While the effects of contaminants will depend upon the species, season and environmental context such as habitat type (Becherucci et al, 2016;Crooks et al, 2011;Romano et al, 2010), the implications are that species tolerant to these perturbations will be found in impacted areas. Indeed, communities within marinas tend to be significantly different from that of more favorable (in terms of water quality) habitats adjacent to impacted areas (Gittenberger and van der Stelt, 2011;Rivero et al, 2013).…”

Off the Shelf Fouling Management

“…Short half-life is an advantage because biocides do not build up in the environment, do not concentrate up the food chain, and have reduced effects on non-target species. Examples are the isothiazalones [30] and pyrithiones [31]. However, some organisms such as barnacles are relatively insensitive to these toxins, and single toxin solution coatings fail as toxin release rates fall [32], microbes adapt, and calcareous marofoulers provide non-toxic platforms on toxic surfaces for fouling community development.…”

Adaptation in marine invasion: a genetic perspective

“…Evidence for copper tolerance adaptation in invasive fouling species comes from two bryozoans, B. neritina and Watersipora subtorquata, and the tunicate Styela plicata (Piola and Johnston 2006;Galletly et al 2007;McKenzie et al 2011McKenzie et al , 2012. Outside of the fouling community, different performance in high-pollution conditions has been recorded for high-and low-pollution populations of the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite, the clam Venerupis philippinarum, and the snail L. saxatilis (Daka and Hawkins 2004;Paul-Pont et al 2010;Romano et al 2010).…”