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Effects of the antifouling compound, Irgarol 1051, on a simulated estuarine salt marsh ecosystem

Ecotoxicology volume 18, pages 250–258 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Toxicity effects of the antifouling compound, Irgarol 1051, were examined using a simulated estuarine salt marsh ecosystem. The 35 day mesocosm exposure incorporated tidal flux and contained seawater, sediments, marsh grass, and estuarine biota. Irgarol (10.0 μg/l) caused a significant reduction in phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity. HPLC pigment analysis indicated significant effects of irgarol on both phytoplankton and periphyton community composition, with decreased concentrations of pigments representative of diatom species. There was also a significant decrease in dissolved oxygen levels in the 10.0 μg/l irgarol treatment. Growth of the hard shell clam was significantly reduced in the 1.0 and 10.0 μg/l irgarol treatments. The effects observed occurred at irgarol concentrations greater than those typically measured in the environment. Prolonged exposure, the accumulation of irgarol in sediments, plant, or animal tissues, and the interaction of irgarol with other chemicals in the environment; however, could increase risk.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge Pete Key, Jennifer Hoguet, Joe Jutzi, John Venturella, Blaine West (NOAA/NOS, Charleston, SC, USA), Ginger Winder, Heather Harper (College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, USA), and Sherry Pittman (Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC, USA) for assistance with field and mesocosm sampling. We thank Jay Pinckney (University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA) for performing the HPLC pigment analysis. The National Ocean Service (NOS) does not approve, recommend, or endorse any proprietary product or material mentioned in this publication.

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Affiliations

  1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, 219 Fort Johnson Rd., Charleston, SC, 29412, USA

    M. E. DeLorenzo, P. L. Pennington, K. W. Chung & M. H. Fulton

  2. College of Charleston, Graduate Program in Marine Biology, 205 Fort Johnson Rd., Charleston, SC, 29412, USA

    M. C. Finnegan

Authors
  1. M. E. DeLorenzo
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  2. P. L. Pennington
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  3. K. W. Chung
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  4. M. C. Finnegan
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  5. M. H. Fulton
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. E. DeLorenzo.

Additional information

Capsule: Irgarol directly decreased primary productivity and biomass and indirectly decreased dissolved oxygen and clam growth in an estuarine salt marsh mesocosm exposure.

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DeLorenzo, M.E., Pennington, P.L., Chung, K.W. et al. Effects of the antifouling compound, Irgarol 1051, on a simulated estuarine salt marsh ecosystem. Ecotoxicology 18, 250–258 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-008-0278-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-008-0278-x

Keywords

  • Irgarol
  • Estuarine
  • Salt marsh
  • Mesocosm
  • Toxicity