The disposition of p-nitroanisole by the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus: II. Biotransformation and bioconcentration

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 1981, Vol.5 (2), p.240-254
• Main Authors: Landrum, P.F., Crosby, D.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anisoles - metabolism; Biotransformation; Marine; Sea Urchins - metabolism; Seasons; Strongylocentrotus purpuratus; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/0147-6513(81)90038-5

Biotransformation and bioconcentration of p-nitroanisole (PNA) in sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, was studied using short-term exposures in static and dynamic, flowing water, studies and under steady-state conditions. The metabolic pathway was characterized by reduction of the nitro group with subsequent acetylation of the formed p-anisidine. The extent of metabolism was less than 2.5% of the excreted material, total excretion 73 ± 11%. The metabolism varied with season, corresponding to the reproductive cycle, and with length of time held in the laboratory. The PNA had a relative weight of distribution (anagolous to volume of distribution) of 1.73 ± 0.95 and the gonads acted as the storage site. The bioconcentration factor for PNA was 6.1 ± 4.7 and had a range of 1.9–25.9. The bioconcentration factor also varied with the reproductive cycle of the sea urchin. The sea urchin demonstrated a decreased excretion of PNA with an increase in metabolism which implies that long-term exposure to PNA could be potentially harmful. These studies along with the kinetics demonstrated the usefulness of our testing protocol to distinguish the differences in the disposition of PNA in the sea urchin under different physiological states.