Preliminary assessment of the toxicity of domestic effluent components on embryo-larval development of sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Wesley de Almeida Mazur, Fernando Sanzi Cortez, Fabio Hermmes Poscedu, Camilo Dias Seabra Pereira

Abstract

Anthropogenic actions relate directly and indirectly on the quality of aquatic environments, change their characteristics and pose risks to biota and human health. The antibacterial Triclosan (TCS) and the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (DSS) are widely used for different purposes and considered as a major constituent of effluents. In this context, the toxicity of these compounds was evaluated in environmentally relevant concentrations through chronic toxicity assays employing the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. The results revealed that the TCS and DSS compounds showed no significant adverse effects on embryo-larval development of L. variegatus at concentrations of 20 µg. L^{- 1} and 200 µg.L^-1, respectively. On the other hand, in the case of domestic effluents, future studies should evaluate synergistic effects, since these compounds are introduced in complex mixtures on marine ecosystems.