Effects of the water-soluble fraction of diesel oil (WSD) on the fertilization and development of a sea urchin (Echinometra lucunter)

Spatial Distribution and Pollution Assessment of Metals in Sediments of the Babon River, Central Java, Indonesia

Background

The Babon River is one of the drainage channels in Semarang, Indonesia, that is used for drinking water, irrigated agriculture of paddy fields and gardens, fish farming media, and the disposal of industrial wastewater. This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution of metals in the sediment of the Babon River through the utilization of different pollution indices. These indices included concentration factor (Cf), contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), sediment pollution index (SPI), threshold effect level (TEL), and probable effect level (PEL).

Methods

Seven sampling locations were sampled for water and sediment in April, June, and September of 2021. The measurement of the metal was conducted using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Results

The findings of the study demonstrated that sediments with a predominant sand texture exhibited higher levels of Cd and Pb, while the sediments characterized by a predominant clay texture had a higher concentration of Cr. Upon analyzing the Cf, CF, EF, Igeo, and SPI data, it has been confirmed that the sediment in the Babon River has substantial levels of Cd, Cr, and Pb. According to the TEL and PEL values, it can be observed that the presence of Cd and Pb has detrimental effects on the biological health of the benthic biota.

Conclusions

The aquatic biota and the benthic environment may be subject to adverse effects in the event where the concentration of metals in the sediment is higher than the natural concentration of metals.

Dilute concentrations of maritime fuel can modify sediment reworking activity of high-latitude marine invertebrates

Multiple expressions of climate change, in particular warming-induced reductions in the type, extent and thickness of sea ice, are opening access and providing new viable development opportunities in high-latitude regions. Coastal margins are facing these challenges, but the vulnerability of species and ecosystems to the effects of fuel contamination associated with increased maritime traffic is largely unknown. Here, we show that low concentrations of the water-accommodated fraction of marine fuel oil, representative of a dilute fuel oil spill, can alter functionally important aspects of the behaviour of sediment-dwelling invertebrates. We find that the response to contamination is species specific, but that the range in response among individuals is modified by increasing fuel concentrations. Our study provides evidence that species responses to novel and/or unprecedented levels of anthropogenic activity associated with the opening up of high-latitude regions can have substantive ecological effects, even when human impacts are at, or below, commonly accepted safe thresholds. These secondary responses are often overlooked in broad-scale environmental assessments and marine planning yet, critically, they may act as an early warning signal for impending and more pronounced ecological transitions.

Waterborne Toxicity to Neotropical Invertebrates and Hazard of Cigarette Butt Leachates in Marine Environments

Cigarette butts (CBs) are the most common type of beach litter worldwide and contain a complex mixture of chemicals. Given the recent interest in this emerging problem, it is important to assess the toxicity of CB leachates to a range of species from different regions, sensitivities, and ecological traits. We evaluated the waterborne toxicity of smoked CB to tropical invertebrates. Leachates were prepared in the laboratory and characterized for trace elements (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb), ammonia nitrogen, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Then a set of toxicity tests with marine invertebrates was performed as follows: the brine shrimp Artemia sp. (nontoxic); the amphipod Tiburonella viscana (median lethal concentration [LC50] of 0.038 CB/L); the tanaid Monokalliapseudes schubarti (LC50 of 0.126 CB/L); the copepods Tisbe biminiensis (median effect concentration [EC50] of 0.038 CB/L) and Nitokra sp. (EC50 of 0.009 CB/L); pluteus stage larvae of the sea urchin Echinometra lucunter (EC50 of 0.152 CB/L); the sand dollar Mellita quinquiesperforata (EC50 of 0.054 CB/L); and D-stage larvae of the mussel Perna perna (EC50 of 0.005 CB/L). The predicted no-effect concentration was estimated using species sensitivity distribution, producing a 5th percentile hazard concentration of 0.015 CB/L. This preliminary threshold allowed us to estimate the potential impact of a single CB to 67 L of seawater via leaching, contributing to the advancement of knowledge regarding the contamination, toxicity, and ecological risks of cigarette waste. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:374-384. © 2023 SETAC.

Effects of the water-soluble fraction of diesel oil on the sera biochemical indicators, histological changes, and immune responses of black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii

In order to understand the physiological and immune responses of Sebastes schlegelii to the water-soluble fraction of diesel oil (WSD), S. schlegelii were used as the experimental objects to study the effect of WSD on the sera biochemical indicators, histological changes, and immune responses. Significant differences in sera biochemical indicators were observed in S. schlegelii after WSD exposure. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose (GLU), and globulin (GLB) were reduced by 3.51-fold, 3.12- fold, and 1.58-fold, respectively; however, K⁺ was increased by 3.55-fold. The results of HE staining showed that interstitial congestion was observed in the liver; the secondary lamellae deformity and hyperplasia, epithelial lifting, the primary lamellae hyperplasia, and aneurism were observed in the gill. Epidermis thickness increased, and epidermal hyperplasia in the skin was shown. The length of the secondary lamellae shortened significantly after WSD exposure. The results of AB-PAS staining showed that three different types of mucous cells were observed in the gill, and a significant increase in the number of all three types of mucous cells was observed after WSD exposure (P < 0.05). In addition, the results of the relative mRNA expressions in the liver of eleven immune-related genes showed that the relative expression levels of IL-1β, IL-8, TNF receptor, BAFF, C1s, C1r, and MyD88 in the WSD group were substantially higher than those in the LPS group (P < 0.05), and the relative expression of caspase 10 was significantly lower than that in the LPS group (P < 0.05). At the same time, no significant differences were observed in the relative expression levels of IL-1, TNFα, and C1inh between the two groups (P > 0.05). This study was expected to provide essential data for health assessments of S. schlegelii and establish the foundation for the immune-related researches of S. schlegelii after WSD exposure.

The influence of temperature in sea urchin embryo toxicity of crude and bunker oils alone and mixed with dispersant

This investigation deals with how temperature influences oil toxicity, alone or combined with dispersant (D). Larval lengthening, abnormalities, developmental disruption, and genotoxicity were determined in sea urchin embryos for assessing toxicity of low-energy water accommodated fractions (LEWAF) of three oils (NNA crude oil, marine gas oil -MGO-, and IFO 180 fuel oil) produced at 5-25 °C. PAH levels were similar amongst LEWAFs but PAH profiles varied with oil and production temperature. The sum of PAHs was higher in oil-dispersant LEWAFs than in oil LEWAFs, most remarkably at low production temperatures in the cases of NNA and MGO. Genotoxicity, enhanced after dispersant application, varied depending on the LEWAF production temperature in a different way for each oil. Impaired lengthening, abnormalities and developmental disruption were recorded, the severity of the effects varying with oil, dispersant application and LEWAF production temperature. Toxicity, only partially attributed to individual PAHs, was higher at lower LEWAF production temperatures.

Aromatic hydrocarbons extracted by headspace and microextraction methods in water-soluble fractions from crude oil, fuels and lubricants

Two extraction protocols were developed for the determination of mono- and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons in water-soluble fractions from gasoline, diesel, crude, mineral insulating, and lubricant oils. Development of the procedures was based on clean miniaturized strategies, such as headspace extraction and vortex-assisted dispersive liquid micro-extraction, together with quantification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mono-aromatic hydrocarbons were extracted using the headspace extraction method. The linear range obtained was 10-500 µg L^-1, with r² > 0.99. Based on the parameters of the analytical curves, detection and quantification limits of 2.56-3.20 and 7.76-9.71 µg L^-1 were estimated. In addition, the method showed adequate recoveries of 69.4-83.5%, with a satisfactory precision of 4.7-17.1% (n = 5). Micro-extraction was applied for the poly-aromatics and the most favorable variables were sample volume (5.00 mL) in sodium chloride medium (1%, w/v), trichloromethane as extractor solvent (75 µL), acetone as disperser (925 µL) and vortexing for 1 min. Under these conditions, analytical curves of 0.15-4.00 µg L^-1 were obtained and limits of determination and quantification were 0.03-0.15 and 0.09-0.46 µg L^-1, respectively. Recovery values of 87.6-124.5% and a maximum relative standard deviation of 18.9% (n = 5) verify satisfactory accuracy and precision. This led to the achievement of enrichment factors for poly-aromatic hydrocarbons of 41-89 times. Finally, the methods were employed in samples of water-soluble fractions for the determination of analytes. The values followed the order: gasoline > diesel > crude > lubricant > mineral insulating oil. These results indicate an increase in lighter fractions, followed by poly-aromatics in more refined products.

Assessment of the environmental acceptability of potential artificial reef materials using two ecotoxicity tests: Luminescent bacteria and sea urchin embryogenesis

Ecotoxicological analysis of construction products is a relatively unexplored area at international level. Aquatic toxicity tests on construction products has been recommended recently for freshwater environment. However, the biological effects of alternative materials on marine ecosystem are still not considered. In this study, the main aim was to assess the environmental impact of alternative mortars proposed as artificial reefs (ARs) materials. The ARs specimens were developed by 3D printing, based on cement and geopolymer mortars using recycled sands of glass and seashells. For this purpose, a leaching test and two different toxicity bioassays, luminosity reduction of marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri (Microtox®) and the success of embryo-larval development of sea-urchin Paracentrotus lividus, were conducted. From the leaching results it should be noted that the mobility of all trace elements considered in both, raw materials and mortars, meet the inert landfill limits, except As, Mo, Se or Sb in the leachates geopolymer mortars. However, the results obtained from the both bioassays show low environmental acceptability for those mortars containing shell sand, probably due to the degradation of the organic matter adhered to the shells. On the other hand, cement mortars obtain better results than geopolymer mortars, regardless of the aggregate used, showing certain consistency with the leaching behaviour, since they present the lowest mobility of trace chemical elements. Therefore, the results supporting the environmental acceptability of its potential use as alternative materials in the production of ARs.

Genotoxic Effects of Exposure to Water-Soluble Fraction of Diesel Fuel in Sand Dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis Gametes

Pollution of marine areas with oil and oil products is steadily growing. As part of this connection, the study of the impact of petroleum hydrocarbons on marine hydrobionts is an urgent issue of modern ecotoxicology. In our study, the genotoxic effect of the water-soluble fraction of diesel fuel at different concentrations on the gametes of the sand dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis was evaluated. It was shown that during the incubation of sperm and eggs of a sand dollar in WAF with an oil hydrocarbon content of 1.32; 2.64; 5.37; 7.92 mg/L caused the destruction of the DNA molecule to varying degrees in both types of gametes. In addition, it has been shown that with an increase in the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in WAF, a large number of cells with a high level of DNA damage appear. The success of fertilization after exposure of gametes to a water-soluble extract of petroleum hydrocarbons was also evaluated. The relationship between an increase in the concentration of hydrocarbons in the tested solutions and a decrease in the level of fertilization is shown.

Use of Taguchi design for optimization of diesel-oil biodegradation using consortium of Pseudomonas stutzeri, Cellulosimicrobium cellulans, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas balearica isolated from tarball in Terengganu Beach, Malaysia

A consortium of bacteria capable of decomposing oily hydrocarbons was isolated from tarballs on the beaches of Terengganu, Malaysia, and classified as Pseudomonas stutzeri, Cellulosimicrobium cellulans, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas balearica. The Taguchi design was used to optimize the biodegradation of diesel using these bacteria as a consortium. The highest biodegradation of diesel-oil in the experimental tests was 93.6%, and the individual n-alkanes decomposed 87.6-97.6% over 30 days. Optimal settings were inoculum size of 2.5 mL (1.248 OD_600nm); 12% (v/v) the initial diesel-oil in a minimal salt medium of pH 7.0, 30.0 gL^-1 NaCl and 2.0 gL^-1 NH₄NO₃ concentration, incubated at 42 °C temperature and 150 rpm agitation speed. Parameters significantly improved diesel-oil removal by consortium as shown by the model determination coefficient (R² = 90.89%; P < 0.001) with a synergistic effect of agitation speed significantly contributing 81.03%. Taguchi design determined the optimal settings for the parameters under study, which significantly improved diesel-oil removal by consortium. This can be used to design a novel bioremediation strategy that can achieve optimal decontamination of oil pollution in a shorter time.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40201-022-00812-3.

Combined physiological and behavioral approaches as tools to evaluate environmental risk assessment of the water accommodated-fraction of diesel oil

There is an increasing concern related to the toxic effects of the soluble portion of diesel oil on aquatic ecosystems and the organisms living in them. In this context, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of diesel water accommodated-fraction (WAF) on behavioral and biochemical responses of mussels Perna perna. Animals were exposed to 5 and 20% of WAF for 96 h. Prior to the beginning of the experiments, Hall effect sensors and magnets were attached to the valves of the mussels. Valve gaping behavior was continuously recorded for 12 h of exposure and tissues (gills and digestive gland) were separated after 96 h of exposure. Overall, both behavior and biochemical biomarkers were altered due to WAF exposure. Animals exposed to WAF reduced the average amplitude of the valves and the fraction of time opened, and presented greater transition frequency, demonstrating avoidance behavior over the 12 h period. Furthermore, the biochemical biomarkers (GSH, GST, SOD and CAT) were altered following the 96 h of exposure to WAF. Considering the results presented, this study demonstrates the toxic potential of WAF in both shorter and longer exposure periods.

Toxicity to sea urchin embryos of crude and bunker oils weathered under ice alone and mixed with dispersant

A multi-index approach (larval lenghthening and malformations, developmental disruption, and genotoxicity) was applied using sea-urchin embryos as test-organisms. PAH levels measured in the under-ice weathered aqueous fraction (UIWAF) were lower than in the low-energy water accommodated fraction (LEWAF) and similar amongst UIWAFs of different oils. UIWAFs and LEWAFs caused toxic effects, more markedly in UIWAFs, that could not be attributed to measured individual PAHs or to their mixture. Conversely, UIWAF was less genotoxic than LEWAF, most likely because naphthalene concentrations were also lower. In agreement, NAN LEWAF, the most genotoxic, exhibited the highest naphthalene levels. Dispersant addition produced less consistent changes in PAH levels and embryo toxicity in UIWAFs than in LEWAFs, and did not modify LEWAF genotoxicity. Overall, under ice weathering resulted in lowered waterborne PAHs and genotoxicity but augmented embryo toxicity, not modified by dispersant application.

Levels of hydrocarbons and toxicity of water-soluble fractions of maritime fuels on neotropical invertebrates

Accidents involving fuels and oil spills are among the main sources of hydrocarbons to the marine ecosystems and often damage the biota. Diesel and bunker oil are two examples of fuels with broad application that release hydrocarbons to the aquatic environment and little is known about their toxicity on tropical organisms. This study aimed to assess the toxicity of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of diesel and bunker oils to neotropical marine invertebrates. Commercial fuels were purchased for WSF extraction, analyzed for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and acute and chronic toxicity determined. The WSF analyzed contained varied levels of TPH and PAHs mixtures, especially low molecular weight PAHs; bunker WSF presented higher amounts of TPH and PAHs. Both WSFs tested produced significant mortality of the brine shrimp Artemia salina, affected the reproduction rate of the copepod Nitokra sp, and impaired the embryo-larval development of the mussel Perna perna and of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. In general WSF from diesel was more toxic to the organisms tested, but bunker WSF was more toxic to embryos of L. variegatus. Toxicity started from concentrations of 3% WSF, which can be environmentally relevant after an oil spill, indicating that marine biota may be adversely affected in short term.

Influence of dispersant application on the toxicity to sea urchin embryos of crude and bunker oils representative of prospective oil spill threats in Arctic and Sub-Arctic seas

This study deals with the toxicity assessment of crude and bunker oils representative of prospective oil spill threats in Arctic and Sub-Arctic seas (NNA: Naphthenic North-Atlantic crude oil; MGO: Marine Gas Oil; IFO: Intermediate Fuel Oil 180), alone or in combination with a third-generation dispersant (Finasol OSR52®). Early life stages of sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, were selected for toxicity testing of oil low-energy water accommodated fractions. A multi-index approach, including larval size increase and malformation, and developmental disruption as endpoints, was sensitive to discriminate from slight to severe toxicity caused by the tested aqueous fractions. IFO (heavy bunker oil) was more toxic than NNA (light crude oil), with MGO (light bunker oil) in between. The dispersant was toxic and further on it enhanced oil toxicity. Toxic units revealed that identified PAHs were not the main cause for toxicity, most likely exerted by individual or combined toxic action of non-measured compounds.

Derivation of toxicity thresholds for gas condensate oils protective of tropical species using experimental and modelling approaches

Toxicity thresholds for dissolved oil applied in tropical ocean risk assessments are largely based on the sensitivities of temperate and/or freshwater species. To explore the suitability of these thresholds for tropical habitats we experimentally determined toxicity thresholds for eight tropical species for a partially weathered gas condensate, applied the target lipid model (TLM) to predict toxicity of fresh and weathered condensates and compared sensitivities of the tropical species with model predictions. The experimental condensate-specific hazard concentration (HC5) was 167 μg L^-1 total aromatic hydrocarbons (TAH), with the TLM-modelled HC5 (78 μg L^-1 TAH) being more conservative, supporting TLM-modelled thresholds for tropical application. Putative species-specific critical target lipid body burdens (CTLBBs) indicated that several of the species tested were among the more sensitive species in the TLM database ranging from 5.1 (coral larvae) to 97 (sponge larvae) μmol g^-1 octanol and can be applied in modelling risk for tropical marine ecosystems.

Transfer of Pollutants from Macrocystis pyrifera to Tetrapygus niger in a Highly Impacted Coastal Zone of Chile

PAHs and heavy metals are characteristic pollutants in urbanized coastal areas, especially those with industrial activity. Given this context and the ability of Macrocystis pyrifera to drift when detached and provide trophic subsidy in coastal systems, we analyzed the potential transfer of pollutants to the herbivore Tetrapygus niger, through diet, in an industrialized coastal zone in Central Chile (Caleta Horcón) and characterized the impacted zone using diverse polluted ecotoxicological indices. For this purpose, a culture experiment was conducted where M. pyrifera individuals from Algarrobo (control site) were cultivated in Caleta Horcón and then used as food for T. niger. The contents of both PAHs and heavy metal contents were subsequently determined in algal tissue and sea urchin gonads as well as in the seawater. The results show that algae cultivated in Caleta Horcón had higher concentrations of naphthalene (NAF) compared to those from a low industrial impact zone (Algarrobo) (2.5 and 1.8 mg kg-1, respectively). The concentrations of Cu, As, and Cd were higher in Caleta Horcón than in Algarrobo in both M. pyrifera and T. niger. For all metals, including Pb, higher concentrations were present in T. niger than in M. pyrifera (between 5 and 798 times higher). Additionally, as indicated by the toxicological indices MPI (0.00804) and PLI (10.89), Caleta Horcón is highly contaminated with metals compared to Algarrobo (0.0006 and 0.015, respectively). Finally, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and trophic transfer factor (TTF) values were greater than one in most cases, with values in Caleta Horcón exceeding those in Algarrobo by one or two orders of magnitude. This study provides evidence that Caleta Horcón is a highly impacted zone (HIZ) compared to Algarrobo, in addition to evidence that the biomagnification of certain pollutants, including the possible responses to contaminants, are apparently not exclusively transferred to T. niger through diet.

Impact on Fertility Rate and Embryo-Larval Development Due to the Association Acidification, Ocean Warming and Lead Contamination of a Sea Urchin Echinometra lucunter (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

Ocean warming and acidification can cause deleterious effects on marine biota, which may be potentialized when associated with metal pollution. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of pH decrease, temperature increase and lead contamination on fertility rate and embryo-larval development of Echinometra lucunter. Gametes and embryos were exposed at pH 8.2 (control) and 7.5; at 26°C (control) and 28°C; and at lead concentrations of 0 (control), 125, 250 and 500 μg/L. These conditions were tested individually and in combination. The fertilization rate of E. lucunter was only significantly reduced in the treatments where temperature was increased and in the treatment where pH decreased. However, the development rate of the pluteus larvae was significantly affected in the majority of treatments: metal contamination in the higher concentration; decreased pH in all metal concentrations; increased temperature in the highest metal concentration; decreased pH and increased temperature and all variables combined, which is decreased pH, increased temperature and metal contamination in relation to the control group (C). The development test was shown to be more sensitive than the fertilization test in all the studied scenarios. In general, the present study suggests that pH decrease, temperature increase and metal pollution may have a significant impact on E. lucunter reproductive cycle.

Effects of diesel oil spill on macrobenthic assemblages at the intertidal zone: A mesocosm experiment in situ

The oil spill accidents may drastically impact the environment and ecosystem at intertidal zones. The spilled oil will penetrate the sediments and accumulate to cause lethal or sublethal effects on the benthic invertebrates. An M-BACI experiment was manipulated in situ to assess the ecological responses of benthic macrofauna to different degrees of diesel oil spill. Both biotic and abiotic parameters were studied for 126 days, subjected to both "pulse" and "press" oil contaminations. The content of aliphatic hydrocarbons (displayed as ratios of n-C17/Pr and n-C18/Ph) slightly dropped then continuously existed in the sediment during the experiment time. The macrofaunal assemblage structures were dramatically altered in species number, abundance and biomass. In general, it takes longer time for the macrofauna assemblages to recover under high concentration oil spill than that under low concentration. Our results highlight the diversified strategies for survival and recolonization among dominant species, which distinguish themselves between: i) tolerant species, ii) opportunistic species, and iii) equilibrium species.

Metal pollution in surface sediments from Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): Toxic effects on marine organisms

The Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon (RFL - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil) is a highly polluted and eutrophic lacustrine system, which has been often used for the practice of aquatic sports, including during the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. This study proposes the evaluation of metal concentrations in surface sediments from the RFL before and after urban interventions performed for the 2016 Olympics, as well as their toxicity to the benthic amphipod Tiburonella viscana and embryos of the sea-urchin Echinometra lucunter. Metal concentrations determined in 2017 were significantly higher than those obtained in 2015 (especially Cu, Cd and Ni), suggesting that the interventions performed to fulfill the requirements of the Olympics increased metal contents in sediments. The sediments from the northern sector of the RFL were muddier, more organically enriched, exhibited higher metal concentrations and were more toxic to T. viscana when compared to the sediments collected in the southern sector. This fact is particularly important since the practice of sports, including during the 2016 Olympics, has been preferably performed in the northern sector. Metal distribution was strongly correlated with organic matter and mud contents. The toxicity to E. lucunter embryos was high for both northern and southern sediments; most of the samples led to 100% lack or abnormal embryonic development. The integration of physical, chemical and ecotoxicological data indicates that the mortality to T. viscana was correlated with metal contents, whereas the toxicity to E. lucunter was apparently related to the release of ammonia from the sediment to water column. Finally, high metal concentrations and the toxicity to aquatic organisms evidence the ecological risks to the biota from RFL.

Assessment of individual and mixed toxicity of bromoform, tribromoacetic-acid and 2,4,6 tribromophenol, on the embryo-larval development of Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin

Water chlorination is the most widely used technique to avoid microbial contamination and biofouling. Adding chlorine to bromide-rich waters leads to the rapid oxidation of bromide ions and leads to the formation of brominated disinfection by-products (bromo-DBPs) that exert adverse effects on various biological models. Bromo-DBPs are regularly encountered within industrialized embayments, potentially impacting marine organisms. Of these, bromoform, tribromoacetic acid and tribromophenol are among the most prevalent. In the present study, we tested the potential toxicity and genotoxicity of these disinfection by-products, using sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, embryos. We highlighted that tribromophenol showed higher toxicity compared to bromoform and tribromoacetic acid. Furthermore, a synergistic effect was detected when tested in combination. Pluteus cells exposed for 1 h to mixtures of DBPs at several concentrations demonstrated significant DNA damage. Finally, when compared to a non-exposed population, sea urchins living in a bromo-DPB-polluted area produced more resistant progenies, as if they were locally adapted. This hypothesis remains to be tested in order to better understand the obvious impact of complex bromo-DBPs environments on marine wildlife.