Metamorphosis of benthic invertebrate larvae: a sensitive and meaningful indicator of marine environmental quality

摘要

The health and service of marine ecosystem is being threatened by increasing industrial, agricultural and municipal waste discharge and numerous emerging synthetic chemicals. To assess these threatens we need to develop proper bioassays or toxicity tests because chemical and physical tests alone are not sufficient to assess potential effects on aquatic biota. Indicator select is central in toxicity tests to determine the safety levels of pollutants and environmental standards. Toxicological research with marine invertebrates has been a large body and is still increasing. Larval metamorphosis of benthic invertebrates has been noted as a particular sensitive element to environmental. Hereafter, this paper presents a brief overview on progress of bio-toxicology in marine environmental monitoring and impact assessment, then discusses the prospective in developing larval metamorphosis as an indicator of marine environmental quality.