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Effects of micronized and nano‐copper azole on marine benthic communities
Author(s) -
Ho Kay T.,
Portis Lisa,
Chariton Anthony A.,
Pelletier Marguerite,
Cantwell Mark,
Katz David,
Cashman Michaela,
Parks Ashley,
Baguley Jeffrey G.,
ConradForrest Nathan,
Boothman Warren,
Luxton Todd,
Simpson Stuart L.,
Fogg Sandra,
Burgess Robert M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.3954
Subject(s) - benthic zone , sediment , environmental chemistry , bioaccumulation , ecotoxicology , environmental science , biology , ecology , chemistry , paleontology
The widespread use of copper nanomaterials (CuNMs) as antibacterial and antifouling agents in consumer products increases the risk for metal contamination and adverse effects in aquatic environments. Information gaps exist on the potential toxicity of CuNMs in marine environments. We exposed field‐collected marine meio‐ and macrobenthic communities to sediments spiked with micronized copper azole (MCA) using a novel method that brings intact benthic cores into the laboratory and exposes the organisms via surface application of sediments. Treatments included field and laboratory controls, 3 spiked sediments: low‐MCA (51.9 mg/kg sediment), high‐MCA (519 mg/kg sediment), and CuSO 4 (519 mg/kg sediment). In addition, single‐species acute testing was performed with both MCA and CuSO 4. Our results indicate that meio‐ and macrofaunal assemblages exposed to High‐MCA and CuSO 4 treatments differed significantly from both the laboratory control and the low‐MCA treatments. Differences in macrofauna were driven by decreases in 3 Podocopa ostracod species, the bivalve Gemma gemma , and the polychaetes Exogone verugera and Prionospio heterobranchia relative to the laboratory control. Differences in the meiofaunal community are largely driven by nematodes. The benthic community test results were more sensitive than the single‐species test results. Findings of this investigation indicate that CuNMs represent a source of risk to marine benthic communities comparable to that of dissolved Cu. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:362–375. Published 2017 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.