Reproductive toxicity of the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of crude oil in the polychaetes Arenicola marina (L.) and Nereis virens (Sars).

摘要: Abstract Accidental pollution incidents are common in the marine environment and often caused by oil-related activities. Here potential of such an incident to disrupt reproduction two polychaete species is investigated, using environmentally relevant preparation weathered Forties crude oil, i.e. water accommodated fraction (WAF). Oocytes were collected exposed three concentrations WAF for 1 h prior addition sperm, so that fertilization took place under exposure conditions. Fertilization success was significantly reduced both equivalent 0.38 mg L−1 PAHs, just 26.8% Arenicola marina compared 76% Nereis virens. The effects on greatly enhanced at lower sperm N. virens, with a complete lack reactions observed 103 sperm per mL. We therefore suggest mechanism toxicity related swimming behaviour, resulting sperm:egg collision rates. found reduce post-fertilization development rates have teratogenic early embryonic stages species, which exhibited abnormal cleavage patterns high levels fluctuating asymmetry. These results illustrate how presence oil its soluble form seawater time spawning event either A. or virens could impact implications ecology these free invertebrates.