Effects of medetomidine, a novel antifouling agent, on the burrowing bivalve Abra nitida (Müller).
The effects of medetomidine, a novel antifouling candidate, on the burrowing bivalve Abra nitida were studied. The burrowing behaviour, sediment reworking activity and faeces production were assessed after 24 h exposure of A. nitida to sublethal concentrations of medetomidine. Medetomidine caused a significant decrease in the burrowing response and in the sediment reworking activity. The median effective concentrations (EC50) were 430 nM (86 microg/l) and 4.4 nM (0.9 microg/l), respectively. No effects on the faeces production were detected. Although significant effects of medetomidine on A. nitida were registered, a reversibility of the effects was observed when 24 h-exposed animals were incubated in clean seawater and sediment for 24 h. Considerations relating to the future commercialisation of medetomidine for antifouling purposes are discussed.
Department of Marine Ecology, Göteborg University, Kristineberg Marine Research Station, SE-450 34 Fiskebäckskil, Sweden. juan.bellas@uvigo.es
Juan
J
Bellas
Annelie
A
Hilvarsson
Göran
G
Birgersson
Ke
K
Granmo
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis; D020926:Medetomidine / Q000633:toxicity*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D020926:Medetomidine