Toxic effects of two commercial polybrominated diphenyl ethers on Artemia larvae at three developmental stages

Abstract

Abstract Toxic effects of two commercial products, penta-BDE (DE-71) and octa-BDE (DE-79), on larvae of the brine shrimp, Artemia, were studied. Results showed that their toxic effects were related not only to the concentration and exposure time, but also to the developmental stage of Artemia. Newly hatched Artemia nauplii showed stronger tolerance than those at metanauplius stage or pseudoadult stage, while DE-71 showed a stronger toxic effect than DE-79 to some extent. Abnormal behaviour of Artemia larvae might occur within 12 h, and sometimes mortality rates increased quickly even if there was no death within 36 h. Both DE-71 and DE-79 showed significant influences on the body length of Artemia larvae within 24 h; the higher the concentration, the stronger the inhibition. As far as a toxic testing standard is concerned, further experimental studies on the selection of Artemia population and developmental stage are essential.