TBT toxicity on the marine microalga Nannochloropsis oculata

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2002-01, Vol.45 (1), p.177-180
• Main Authors: Sidharthan, M., Young, Kim Shin, Woul, Lee Hoe, Soon, Park Kwan, Shin, Hyun Woung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on plants and fungi; Eukaryota - growth & development; Eukaryota - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Growth response; Lethal Dose 50; Marine; Nannochloropsis oculata; Photosynthesis - drug effects; Plant aquaculture, algal production (macroalgae); South Korea; Toxicity; Trialkyltin Compounds - toxicity; Tributyltin; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/S0025-326X(01)00283-1

Commercial antifouling formulations containing TBT are the major source of organotin contamination in coastal waters. In view of the persisting TBT residues (13 ng Sn l −1) in the coastal waters of South Korea, an attempt has been made to evaluate the growth response and biochemical composition of laboratory-cultured Nannochloropsis oculata to TBT toxicity. It is evident that the persisting concentration level of TBT is high enough to cause adverse effect on the microalgal species. The EC 50 (24 h) was found to be at 0.89 nM level of TBT for this marine eustigmatophyte N. oculata. Photosynthetic pigment content was significantly affected. At elevated TBT concentrations of 1.0 nM, especially pronounced changes in biochemical composition was found. TBT tolerance of N. oculata and its growth as well as biochemical responses are discussed.