Lethal and sublethal endpoints observed for Artemia exposed to two reference toxicants and an ecotoxicological concern organic compound

Swimming speed alteration and mortality assays with the marine crustacean Anemia franciscana were carried out. EC50 and LC50 values after 24-48 h exposures were calculated for two reference toxicants, copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4 center dot 5H(2)O) and Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS), and an ecotoxicological concern organic compound, Diethylene Glycol (DEG). Different end-points have been evaluated, in order to point out their sensitivity levels. The swimming speed alteration (SSA) was compared to mortality values and also to the hatching rate inhibition (literature data). SSA resulted to be more sensitive than the mortality and with a sensitivity comparable to (or even higher than) the hatching rate endpoint. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.