High concentrations of phthalates affect the early development of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 279; p. 116473
• Main Authors: Gambardella, Chiara, Miroglio, Roberta, Prieto Amador, Marina, Castelli, Filippo, Castellano, Laura, Piazza, Veronica, Faimali, Marco, Garaventa, Francesca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.07.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; Butyl benzyl phthalate; Contaminant impact; Diethyl phthalate; Larvae; Toxicity; Larvae; Contaminant impact; Butyl benzyl phthalate; Toxicity; Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; Diethyl phthalate
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116473

The toxicity of three phthalates (PAEs) - butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) - was tested on the Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Fertilized eggs were exposed to environmental and high PAE concentrations for 72 h. The potential toxic effects on larval development and any morphological anomalies were then assessed to estimate PAEs impact. Environmental concentrations never affected development, while high concentrations induced toxic effects in larvae exposed to BBP (EC50: 2.9 ×103 µg/L) and DEHP (EC50: 3.72 ×103 µg/L). High concentrations caused skeletal anomalies, with a slight to moderate impact for DEP/DEHP and BBP, respectively. PAE toxicity was: BBP>DEHP>DEP. In conclusion, the three PAEs at environmental concentrations do not pose a risk to sea urchins. However, PAE concentrations should be further monitored in order not to constitute a concern to marine species, especially at their early developmental stages. [Display omitted] •Toxicity of 3 PAEs (BBP, DEP, DEHP) was evaluated on sea urchin development.•PAEs never affected sea urchin development at environmental concentrations.•High concentrations of all PAEs caused larval skeletal anomalies.•DEHP and DEP caused a slight PAE impact, while BBP a moderate impact.•High PAE concentration may constitute a great concern to marine species, especially at early stage.