Effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on growth and survival of long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum larvae

Objective: The presence of heavy metals in seawater is a major challenge for hatchery culture of sea urchin larvae due to their sensitivity to metal pollution. The impact of heavy metals in seawater for sensitive marine larviculture could be minimized via chelation of metals using chemical compounds such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).Methods: In this study the effects of EDTA were tested for the long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum during larviculture at two concentrations (10 mu M and 50 mu M) and two exposure durations (6 and 24 days postfertilization). Growth and survival of larvae were evaluated as response variables.Result: Significant differences in growth and survival of larvae were found among the treatments at different EDTA concentrations and exposure durations. The 10-mu M EDTA treatment enhanced growth and survival of larvae relative to control for both exposure durations. The 50-mu M EDTA treatment was unsuitable for long-spined sea urchin larviculture due to reductions in growth and survival.Conclusion: The use of 10 mu M EDTA during embryo incubation and larviculture is expected to improve long-spined sea urchin larval fitness, leading to improved hatchery production.

Automated summary

The presence of heavy metals in seawater poses a major challenge for the hatchery culture of sea urchin larvae. The use of EDTA as a chemical compound to chelate metals in seawater can minimize the impact of heavy metal pollution. This study tested the effects of EDTA on the growth and survival of long-spined sea urchin larvae.