A settlement inhibition assay with cyprid larvae of the barnacle balanus amphitrite

摘要

A settlement inhibition assay using barnacle cyprid larvae, Balanus amphitrite, was developed with Cd~2+ and phenol as standard reference toxicants. Mean percentage settlement of cyprid larvae showed a progressive reduction with increasing concentrations of Cd~2+ and phenol. A significant reduction in settlement was found when cyprids were exposed to 0.1 mgL~1 Cd~2+ or 10 mgL~1 phenol. The assay was used to assess the sublethal toxicity of tree oil dispersants (Vecom B-1425 GL, Norchem OSD-570 and Corexit 9905) commonly used in Hong Kong waters.