A rapid aquatic toxicity assay utilizing labeled thymidine incorporation in sea urchin embryos

摘要

AbstractAquatic toxicity was evaluated in the sea urchin embryo (Arbacia punctulata) by the inhibition of tritiated thymidine incorporation after a brief exposure to toxic chemicals. In preliminary trials, using eight compounds of varying toxicities, results accurately predicted reduced survival and morphological delay after 48‐h exposures (r2= 0.97). Excellent correlations also exist between these calculated median effective concentrations (EC50values) and literature‐derived acute LC50values for two other aquatic species.Arbaciais a useful surrogate species for assay: well‐studied, easily cultured and fertile virtually year round. The simplicity and speed of this test system lends itself to screening large numbers of compounds, mixtures or water sa