Engineered nanomaterials are considered emerging contaminants as their use in consumer products is steadily increasing. Of these, copper and copper oxide nanomaterials (nano-CuO) are among the most used nanomaterials with diverse applications such as antifungal and antimicrobial additives in textiles, water treatment, and paints. The toxic effects of nano-CuO in organisms of all taxa has been widely documented. We have previously shown that exposure to nano-CuO during early development of marine embryos (sea urchins) causes malformations that can compromise survival since these stages are the most sensitive to a number of stressors. Here, we further determined the effects of short exposures to either soluble copper (copper sulfate) or nano-CuO during specific early developmental stages of sea urchin embryos. Soluble copper caused significant malformations in embryos (skeletal malformations, delayed development or gut malformations) when present at any given stage, while the first 24 h were the most sensitive to nano-CuO exposure causing skeletal malformations and decreased total antioxidant capacity. The stage specificity was linked to higher accumulation of copper in specific cells critical for development. Results indicate that nano-CuO results in higher accumulation of copper inside of embryos and this intracellular copper is more persistent as compared to soluble copper. The possible implications later in development are discussed.

Not just what but when: Stage-specific effects of emerging contaminants in the early development of marine organisms

255th National Meeting (2018)

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