Evaluation of benzo(a)pyrene toxicity on sea urchin (Echinometra lucunter) embryo development Tawany de Mello Souza, Paloma Kachel Gusso Choueri

Abstract

The oceans and their coastal regions are one of the most important environments on planet Earth. Due to the increase in population and industrial activities, these ecosystems have become repositories of waste that can be harmful to biota, such as benzo(a)pyrene, a persistent PAH in the environment, which can be absorbed by organisms. It is important that the toxicity of this compound be studied and highlighted in order to decrease the exposure of the oceans and their organisms to this contaminant. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the toxicity of BaP on the sea urchin Echinometra lucunter and to determine the concentration that inhibits 50% of its embryolarval development. Sea urchins were extremely sensitive to BaP, and environmentally relevant concentrations inhibited their embryolarval development, showing that the presence of this pollutant can cause effects to biota.