Short-term toxic effects of naphthalene and pyrene on the common prawn (Palaemon serratus) assessed by a multi-parameter laboratorial approach: mechanisms of toxicity and impairment of individual fitness

Abstract

The short-term (96 h) toxic effects of two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), naphthalene (NAP) and pyrene (PYR), on the common prawn (Palaemon serratus) were investigated in laboratory bioassays, including a fitness related assay based on the post-exposure swimming velocity. Other effect criteria were biomarkers of neurotoxicity, oxidative stress and bioenergetics, and mortality. In the range of concentrations tested (NAP: 0.13–8 mg/L; PYR: 0.006–0.4 mg/L), both PAHs impaired the swimming velocity, induced oxidative stress and damage, and changed the activity of lactate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase. NAP also caused mortality (96 h-LC50 = 3.5 mg/L). Thus, both PAHs were able to cause toxic effects on P. serratus after a short period of exposure through the water, including the reduction of individual fitness. PYR was five folds more effective in reducing the swimming velocity of P. serratus than NAP. These findings are of interest for the marine ecological risk assessment of oil spills.

Keywords::

• Acute toxicity
• swimming behaviour
• biomarkers
• PAHs
• ecological risk assessment
• marine invertebrates

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. C. Gravato for technical help to Luis Luis in preliminary experiences not included in the present study.