ALDH activity of artemia as a tool for the investigation of the toxicity of antifouling paints

Abstract

Leaching of toxic substances from the matrix of antifouling paints affects not only the fouling organisms but also "non-target" biota. Artemia nauplii have been found to be suitable test organisms for measurement of acute toxicity effects of certain antifouling paints. The present study addresses the impact of a self polishing copper antifouling paint on the activity of the brine shrimp aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Total ALDH activities from nauplii exposed to several sublethal concentrations ranging from (S/V)50 to 1/4(S/V)50 were determined. Decreased enzymatic activities were observed in all antifouling paint concentrations tested, ranging from 2.4% inhibition at 1/4(S/V)50 to 53.9% at (S/V)50. The results of this preliminary investigation suggest that ALDH activity of Artemia nauplii could be used as a biomarker for the evaluation of toxic activity of antifouling paint on non target organisms. © 2013 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.