Saliha Dermeche

• Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 165-172

  Saliha Dermeche, Fayçal Chahrour & Zitouni Boutiba
  Evaluation of the toxicity of metal pollutants on embryonic development of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) (Echinodermata Echinoidea)

  ABSTRACT
  Bioassays are frequently used to evaluate biological effects of pollutants on marine organisms. The objective of such tests is the detection of toxic effects on populations that are representative of a given ecosystem. Sea urchin is a model organism employed in the field of environmental toxicology due to its sensitivity towards various pollutants, particularly heavy metals. Preliminary bioassay tests on embryos and/or larvae of Paracentrotus lividus (Lamark, 1816) from Madagh (Oran, Algeria) were used to assess the potential toxicity and determine the LC₅₀ of four metal pollutants, Cadmium, Copper, Lead and Zinc.

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