Copper Pyrithione Research Articles

Investigation of spermiotoxic, embryotoxic and cytotoxic effects of copper pyrithione on Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816)

Spermiotoxic, embryotoxic and cytotoxic effects of the widely used biofouling biocide copper pyrithione (CuPt) were evaluated in bioassays to examine the inhibition of fertilization rate, offspring quality and effects on early development of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. CuPt was non-spermiotoxic for fertilization rates but the frequency of embryonic malformations increased in a concentration-dependent manner when eggs were fertilized with CuPt-exposed sperm. CuPt EC50 was calculated to be 13.58 ?g/l for embryotoxicity. While the frequency of normally developed plutei decreased, the number of larvae with skeletal deformations increased. The IC25 and IC50 values in cytotoxicity assays were calculated to be 12.79 and 47.85 ?g/l, respectively. The study revealed statistically significant decrease in the number of mitotically dividing cells, increase in the percentage of interphase cells and increased chromosomal abnormalities in the exposed cells. According to these results, CuPt can be said to have a highly toxic effect on sea urchin embryos at the applied concentrations. This situation suggests that there may be a potential risk of marine contamination with CuPt for this species.

Copper pyrithione (CuPT)-catalyzed/mediated amination and thioarylation of (hetero)aryl halides: A competition

A facile method for the synthesis of N-arylheterocycles and di(hetero)aryl sulfides under mild condition is described. In these transformations, copper pyrithione (CuPT) was used as the copper catalyst for C─N coupling, while served as catalyst and coupled partner for C─S coupling with high yields and broad substrate tolerance. The S-arylation process was also utilized for the construction of valuable bioactive 2-sulfonylpyridine 1-oxide derivatives.

Sub-lethal toxicities of zinc pyrithione, copper pyrithione alone and in combination to the indicator mussel species Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 (Bivalvia, Unionidae)

ABSTRACTZinc pyrithione (ZnPT) and copper pyrithione (CuPT) are widely used antifouling booster biocides in the shipping industry as a replacement for the banned tributyltin (TBT). Sub-lethal effects of zinc pyrithione (ZnPT; 10 μg L−1), copper pyrithione (CuPT; 10 μg L−1) and combined copper–zinc pyrithione (CZPT; 5 + 5 and 10 + 10 μg. L−1) to freshwater indicator mussel Unio crassus (5.49 ± 0.85 cm in size) were determined by investigation of the total hemocyte counts, biochemical analysis mussel tissues and histopathological observations after 48-h and 7-d exposures. Mean total hemocyte counts differed significantly among all groups, for both exposure durations. In the 7 d, lipid peroxidation levels (malondialdehyde, MDA nmol g−1 wet tissue) and reduced glutathione levels (GSH μmol g−1 wet tissue) were lower than 48 h. However, there were no significant differences among groups. Total protein levels (mg mL−1) were approximately in the same range and differed only among 7-d exposure groups. The gill tissues showed hemocytic infiltration and lipofuscin like structures, while digestive gland showed loss of digestive tubules in the treatments of pyrithione compounds. Histopathological damages were most severe in the combined exposure groups. In conclusion, ZnPT, CuPT and combined CZPT5/10 are highly toxic on a freshwater indicator mussel species U. crassus.

Preliminary Studies on Distribution of Marine Fouling Hydroids <i>Ectopleura</i> and on Laboratory-based Actinula Larval Settlement Assays

Only a few studies have been devoted to the species identification and the distribution of marine hydroids Ectopleura in Japanese coastal waters, despite the scale of fouling problems that they pose. We collected polyps from the coast of the western and northern parts of Japan, and analyzed their morphological characters and mitochondrial COI genes. As a result, while polyps settled on fishing nets along the coast of Hokkaido were Ectopleura radiata, E. crocea were spotted along the Pacific coast of Honshu. Dense polyp colonies on pontoons along the coasts of Seto Inland Sea in mid-to-late winter were also identified for the first time as E. radiata. In addition, phylogenetic analysis has identified Ectopleura sp. JRH-2014 spotted in the China Seas as E. radiata. Regarding actinulae of E. radiata, we devised a new assay composed of hexagonal columnar cell using test slide glasses, and a magnetic stirrer, and examined the settlement inhibitory effects of the silicone-based coatings. The results found that actinulae proved very sensitive to copper pyrithione contained in anti-fouling agents and the age of coatings.

Synthesis and antifouling evaluation of indole derivatives

Indole derivatives derived from the secondary metabolites of marine organisms possess the excellent antifouling property to inhibit the biofouling. These compounds and their analogues are simple in structure and have been proven to have low toxicity and bioaccumulation. Therefore, the active indole antifoulants are expected to replace the potentially toxic antifoulants which are widely used in current antifouling coatings. Seven indole derivatives were synthesized via the Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction and were characterized by IR spectra, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and elemental analysis. Inhibition experiments against marine algae and bacteria were conducted, and the partial inhibition rates of algae and bacteria were more than 90%. This outcome indicates that indole derivatives possess excellent properties suitable for use as targeting anti-fouling compound for algae and bacteria. Non-invasive Micro-test Technology (NMT) reveals that the Ca2+ efflux of Platymonas subcordiformis dramatically increased in the presence of indole derivatives, which is inferred to be the molecular mechanism for inhibiting the growth of marine algae. The antifouling coatings containing indole derivatives were prepared and subjected to an antifouling test in a marine environment, and the results show that N-(1-H-5-bromo-indole-3-ylmethyl) benzamide and N-(1-H-2-phenyl-indole-3-ylmethyl) benzamide possess better antifouling performance compared to copper pyrithione (CuPT). According to these results, indole derivatives in this study might become novel and promising antifoulants.

Toxicity of engineered micro- and nanomaterials with antifouling properties to the brine shrimp Artemia salina and embryonic stages of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Antifouling booster biocides are chemicals used in protective paints to tackle the adhesion of fouling organisms to maritime artificial structures. However, they are also known to exert toxic effects on non-target organisms. Recent research developments have highlighted the potential use of engineered micro/nanomaterials (EMNMs) as carriers of antifouling booster biocides in order to control their release and to reduce the harmful effects on living biota. In the present study, we sought to assess the toxicity of two commercially-available booster biocides: (zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) and copper pyrithione (CuPT)); three unloaded engineered micro/nanomaterials (EMNMs); layered double hydroxides (LDH), silica nanocapsules (SiNC), polyurea microcapsules (PU); , and six novel EMNMs (loaded with each of the two biocides). The exposure tests were conducted on the larval stage (nauplii) of the brine shrimp Artemia salina and on two embryonic developmental stages of the European purple sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. The findings indicate that the unloaded LDH and PU (i.e. both biocide-free EMNMs) have non/low toxic effects on both species. The unloaded SiNC, in contrast, exerted a mild toxic effect on the A. salina nauplii and P. lividus embryos. The free biocides presented different toxicity values, with ZnPT being more toxic than CuPT in the P. lividus assays. LDH-based pyrithiones demonstrated lower toxicity compared to the free forms of the state-of-the-art compounds, and constitute good candidates in terms of their antifouling efficacy.

Differences in susceptibility of marine bacterial communities to metal pyrithiones, their degradation compounds and organotin antifouling biocides

AbstractThe susceptibility of marine bacterial communities to copper pyrithione (CuPT2), zinc pyrithione (ZnPT2) and their degradation product is described and toxicities of these relatively new antifouling biocides compared with those of their harmful organotin (OT) predecessors, tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT). These biocides were added to agar at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg l−1and coastal seawater including indigenous bacteria added to each batch of agar solution. The number of bacterial colony forming units (CFU) was measured after 7 days culture. Relative CFU (as a percentage of control) was more than 80% at a concentration of 0.01 mg l−1of each compound, except for TBT. Relative CFU decreased as a function of dose of each biocide, although concentration-dependent changes in rate of CFU were relatively low during exposure to degradation products of CuPT2and ZnPT2, pyridineN-oxide (PO) and pyridine-2-sulphonic acid (PSA). Based on comparisons of EC50, TBT was the most bacterio-toxic of the tested compounds (0.2 mg l−1), marginally more so than CuPT2(0.3 mg l−1). Interestingly, EC50values of degradation products of CuPT2and ZnPT2, 2-mercaptopyridineN-oxide (HPT) and 2,2′-dithio-bispyridineN-oxide (PT2) were 0.8 and 0.5 mg l−1, respectively, lower than that of the parent chemical, ZnPT2(1.4 mg l−1). The EC50of PT2was also lower than that of TPT (0.7 mg l−1), implying higher toxicity. Given the overlapping toxicity ranges, these results suggest that marine bacterial communities experience comparably high susceptibility to metal PTs and OTs during their life history.

A simple and facile spectrophotometric tool for quantification of zinc pyrithione (ZPT) in suspension

Abstract We demonstrated a simple, fast, reliable quantitative spectrophotometry based approach to estimate ZPT in a suspension as an alternative to conventional HPLC based technique. By appropriately dosing known amount of copper ions, we could displace the “relatively labile” zinc ion from the crystal lattice of ZPT. Both direct and indirect measurements on the ZPT content by complexation of the displaced zinc ions in solution with xylenol orange and the residual copper ions as its polyethyleneimine complex after the precipitation of copper pyrithione could be obtained with high accuracy and precision. Both direct and indirect estimation techniques suggest that the efficiency of determination lies between 81–118% of the predicted value based on the nature of analysis involved.

Combined effects of antifouling biocides on the growth of three marine microalgal species

The toxicity of the antifouling compounds diuron, irgarol, zinc pyrithione (ZnPT), copper pyrithione (CuPT) and copper was tested on the three marine microalgae Tisochrysis lutea, Skeletonema marinoi and Tetraselmis suecica. Toxicity tests based on the inhibition of growth rate after 96-h exposure were run using microplates. Chemical analyses were performed to validate the exposure concentrations and the stability of the compounds under test conditions.Single chemicals exhibited varying toxicity depending on the species, irgarol being the most toxic chemical and Cu the least toxic. Selected binary mixtures were tested and the resulting interactions were analyzed using two distinct concentration-response surface models: one using the concentration addition (CA) model as reference and two deviating isobole models implemented in R software; the other implementing concentration-response surface models in Excel®, using both CA and independent action (IA) models as reference and three deviating models. Most mixtures of chemicals sharing the same mode of action (MoA) were correctly predicted by the CA model. For mixtures of dissimilarly acting chemicals, neither of the reference models provided better predictions than the other. Mixture of ZnPT together with Cu induced a strong synergistic effect on T. suecica while strong antagonism was observed on the two other species. The synergy was due to the transchelation of ZnPT into CuPT in the presence of Cu, CuPT being 14-fold more toxic than ZnPT for this species. The two modelling approaches are compared and the differences observed among the interaction patterns resulting from the mixtures are discussed.

Antimacrofouling Efficacy of Innovative Inorganic Nanomaterials Loaded with Booster Biocides

The application of nano-structured compounds has been increasing rapidly in recent years, in several fields. The use of engineered nano-materials as carriers of antifouling compounds is just beginning and already reveals clear advantages compared to bulk active compounds, such as slowed and controlled release, novel functionality, and high loading capacity. This present study assesses the antifouling efficacy of two nanostructured materials, spherical mesoporous silica nanocapsules (SiNC) and Zn-Al layered double hydroxides (LDH), loaded with two commercial biocides, zinc prithione (ZnPT) and copper pyrithione (CuPT). The study used adult mussels from three geographical regions, the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea, to examine the efficacy of the innovative compounds. The efficacy of these compounds on larvae of the bryozoan Bugula neritina from the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea was also examined. The results of this study demonstrated the environmentally friendly properties of unloaded LDH against the two-model systems, adult mussels or bryozoan larvae. ZnPT entrapped in LDH demonstrated the most effective antifouling compound against the two model systems. A comparison of the impact of the two compounds on macrofouling organisms from the different marine habitats examined in this study indicates a distinction associated with the organisms’ different ecosystems. The Red Sea mussels and bryozoans, representing a tropical marine ecosystem, yielded the highest efficacy values among tested Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea mussels and bryozoans.

Review: ecotoxicity of organic and organo-metallic antifouling co-biocides and implications for environmental hazard and risk assessments in aquatic ecosystems

Hazard assessments of Irgarol 1051, diuron, 2-(thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole (TCMTB), dichloro-octylisothiazolin (DCOIT), chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, thiram, zinc pyrithione, copper pyrithione, triphenylborane pyridine (TPBP), capsaicin, nonivamide, tralopyril and medetomidine were performed to establish robust environmental quality standards (EQS), based on predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs). Microalgae, zooplankton, fish and amphibians were the most sensitive ecological groups to all the antifoulants evaluated, especially in the early life stages. No differences were identified between freshwater and seawater species. The use of toxicity tests with non-standard species is encouraged because they increase the datasets, allowing EQS to be derived from probabilistic-based PNECs whilst reducing uncertainties. The global ban of tributyltin (TBT) has been heralded as a major environmental success; however, substitute antifoulants may also pose risks to aquatic ecosystems. Environmental risk assessments (ERAs) have driven decision-makings for regulating antifouling products, but in many countries there is still a lack of regulation of antifouling biocides which should be addressed.

Acute toxicity test of copper pyrithione on Javanese medaka and the behavioural stress symptoms

This study was conducted to investigate the median lethal concentration (LC50) of copper pyrithione (CuPT) at 96-hr exposure on adult Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus) in revealing toxicological effects of CuPT contamination in the tropical area. Wild stock fishes were acclimatized for 14-days prior analysis. Triplicate of test tanks for seven test concentrations were placed with ten fishes each, this includes two control tanks. The behaviour of the tested fishes was manually observed through a camera. The LC50 of CuPT at 96-h was found to be 16.58mg/L. Tested fishes swam slowly in vertical movement and swam fast towards food during feeding time as the sign of stress behaviour. Meanwhile, fishes in the two control groups swam actively in a horizontal manner and no excitement during feeding time. No mortality in control groups. Results indicate CuPT to be toxic to Javanese medaka at low concentration and caused behavioural stress.

Metal-based proteasomal deubiquitinase inhibitors as potential anticancer agents

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) play an important role in protein quality control in eukaryotic cells due to their ability to specifically remove ubiquitin from substrate proteins. Therefore, recent findings have focused on the relevance of DUBs to cancer development, and pharmacological intervention on these enzymes has become a promising strategy for cancer therapy. In particular, several DUBs are physically and/or functionally associated with the proteasome and are attractive targets for the development of novel anticancer drugs. The successful clinical application of cisplatin in cancer treatment has prompted researchers to develop various metal-based anticancer agents with new properties. Recently, we have reported that several metal-based drugs, such as the antirheumatic gold agent auranofin (AF), the antifouling paint biocides copper pyrithione (CuPT) and zinc pyrithione (ZnPT), and also our two synthesized complexes platinum pyrithione (PtPT) and nickel pyrithione (NiPT), can target the proteasomal DUBs UCHL5 and USP14. In this review, we summarize the recently reported small molecule inhibitors of proteasomal DUBs, with a focus on discussion of the unique nature of metal-based proteasomal DUB inhibitors and their anticancer activity.

The influence of seawater properties on toxicity of copper pyrithione and its degradation product to brine shrimp Artemia salina

Copper pyrithione (CuPT) is a biocide, used worldwide to prevent biofouling on submerged surfaces. In aquatic environments it rapidly degrades, however, one of the degradation products (HPT) is known to react with cupric ion back to its parent compound. Not much is known about the behavior and toxicity of CuPT and its degradation product HPT in different water systems. Hence, our aim was to investigate the ecotoxicity of CuPT, HPT as well as Cu2+ to the brine shrimp Artemia salina in natural seawater and organic matter-free artificial seawater. Moreover, in order to elucidate the influence of ionic strength of water on CuPT toxicity, tests were performed in water media with modified salinity. The results showed that CuPT was the most toxic to the exposed crustaceans in a seawater media with the highest salinity and with no organic matter content. HPT in a presence of cupric ion converted to CuPT, but the measured CuPT concentrations and the mortality of A. salina in natural water were lower than in artificial water. The toxicity of CuPT to A. salina was significantly influenced by the organic matter content, salinity, and proportions of constituent salts in water. In a combination with cupric ion, non-hazardous degradation product HPT exhibits increased toxicity due to its rapid transformation to its parent compound.

Field study of the long-term release of block copolymers from fouling-release coatings

Abstract The addition of block copolymers (i.e. oils) is a common technique to enhance the biofouling-resistance properties of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based fouling-release coatings. These copolymers diffuse from the bulk to the surface of the coating, thus modifying the properties of the surface and providing fouling-resistance properties. Upon release, dissolution or degradation of copolymer molecules at the surface, new molecules can diffuse from the bulk of the coating and cover the surface. Therefore, the long-term performance of these coatings is dependent on the stability and release rate of copolymer molecules from the surface. A method was developed to quantify the concentration of PDMS-based block copolymers from fouling-release coatings. About 300 experimental coatings exposed to seawater for up to 5.2 years were included in the analysis. The results showed that the loss of copolymer (in % on a weight basis) is significantly higher in warm waters, while the initial copolymer concentration in the coating does not have any effect for copolymer concentrations between 1 and 7 wt%. In short-term exposure, it was found that loss of copolymer was much higher in coatings containing small amounts of an organic biocide (copper pyrithione). Conversely, biocide-containing coatings displayed larger copolymer retention values in long-term experiments. Opposite results were obtained for biocide-free coatings, suggesting that the addition of the organic biocide alters the release profile of copolymers from fouling-release coatings. Finally, the potential of long-term field-studies is discussed, as compared to short-term laboratory experiments usually performed within fouling-release coatings studies.

Copper pyrithione, a booster biocide, induces abnormal muscle and notochord architecture in zebrafish embryogenesis.

The metal pyrithiones, principally zinc (ZnPT) and copper (CuPT), are replacing tributyltin (TBT) as antifouling agents. Zebrafish embryos were exposed within the first hour after fertilization to 12 and 64 µg/L of CuPT for 24 h. Morphological abnormalitiesin notochord and muscle architecture were observed at 96 h post fertilization (hpf). TEM revealed abnormal electron dense deposits in the notochord sheath and muscle fiber degeneration in animals treated with 12 µg/L of CuPT. Embryos that were exposed to 64 µg/L of CuPT displayed severe muscle fiber degeneration including abnormal A and I band patterning and altered z disk arrangement. Abnormalities in the notochord sheath, swelling of the mitochondria and numerous lipid whorls were also noted. Total antioxidant capacity was significantly decreased in embryos exposed to 12 and 64 µg/L of CuPT. Acridine orange staining revealed an increase in apoptosis particularly in the brain, eye, heart and tail regions of both treatment groups. Apoptosis was confirmed with an increase in caspase 3/7 activity in both treatment groups. Severe alternations in primary motor neuron axon extensions, slow tonic muscle fibers and fast twitch fibers were observed in CuPT treated embryos. There was a significant upregulation in sonic hedgehog and myod1 expression at 24 hpf in the 12 µg/L treatment group. Exposed zebrafish embryos showed ultra-structural hallmarks of peroxidative injury and cell death via apoptosis. These changes question the use of copper pyrithione as an antifouling agent.

High-Throughput Screening To Identify Potent and Specific Inhibitors of Microbial Sulfate Reduction.

The selective perturbation of complex microbial ecosystems to predictably influence outcomes in engineered and industrial environments remains a grand challenge for geomicrobiology. In some industrial ecosystems, such as oil reservoirs, sulfate reducing microorganisms (SRM) produce hydrogen sulfide which is toxic, explosive, and corrosive. Despite the economic cost of sulfidogenesis, there has been minimal exploration of the chemical space of possible inhibitory compounds, and very little work has quantitatively assessed the selectivity of putative souring treatments. We have developed a high-throughput screening strategy to identify potent and selective inhibitors of SRM, quantitatively ranked the selectivity and potency of hundreds of compounds and identified previously unrecognized SRM selective inhibitors and synergistic interactions between inhibitors. Zinc pyrithione is the most potent inhibitor of sulfidogenesis that we identified, and is several orders of magnitude more potent than commonly used industrial biocides. Both zinc and copper pyrithione are also moderately selective against SRM. The high-throughput (HT) approach we present can be readily adapted to target SRM in diverse environments and similar strategies could be used to quantify the potency and selectivity of inhibitors of a variety of microbial metabolisms. Our findings and approach are relevant to efforts to engineer environmental ecosystems and also to understand the role of natural gradients in shaping microbial niche space.

Comparison of Toxicities of Metal Pyrithiones Including Their Degradation Compounds and Organotin Antifouling Biocides to the Japanese Killifish Oryzias latipes.

Japanese killifish Oryzias latipes were exposed to three levels (0, 1, and 10µgl-1) of copper pyrithione (CuPT2), zinc pyrithione (ZnPT2), six of their degradation products, and the organotin compounds tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) for 48h at 20°C. All individual fish exposed to 1 and 10µgl-1 of CuPT2 or 10µgl-1 of ZnPT2 were dead within 12h, respectively, and at 24h the survival rate of the fish exposed to 1µgl-1 of ZnPT2 was 50%. All fish exposed to 10µgl-1 of ZnPT2 showed morphological abnormalities in the form of vertebral deformity. None of the fish exposed to six of the degradation products of PTs, TBT, and TPT died during a 48-h exposure period, but various biological effects were observed in the fish exposed to these chemicals: abnormalities of respiration and swimming behavior, and decreased hatchability. Our findings suggest that O. latipes has a higher ecological risk of CuPT2 and ZnPT2 exposure than of TBT and TPT exposure during their life history. Because these antifouling biocides have been used in both freshwater and marine environments, our results highlight these biocides' deleterious effects on the freshwater fish as well as marine fish, and they indicate freshwater and marine pollution.

Efficacy and Ecotoxicity of Novel Anti-Fouling Nanomaterials in Target and Non-Target Marine Species.

Biofouling is a global problem that affects virtually all the immersed structures. Currently, several novel environmentally friendly approaches are being tested worldwide to decrease the toxicity of biocides in non-fouling species, such as the encapsulation/immobilization of commercially available biocides, in order to achieve control over the leaching rate. The present study addresses the toxicity of two widely used booster biocides, zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) and copper pyrithione (CuPT), in its free and incorporated forms in order to assess their toxicity and anti-fouling efficacy in target and non-target species. To achieve this goal, the following marine organisms were tested; the green microalgae Tetraselmis chuii (non-target species) and both target species, the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and the mussel Mytilus edulis. Organisms were exposed to both biocides, two unloaded nanostructured materials and nanomaterials loaded with biocides, from 10μg/L to 100mg/L total weight, following standard protocols. The most eco-friendly and simultaneously efficient anti-fouling solution against the two photosynthetic species (nanoclays loaded with ZnPT) was then tested on mussels to assess its lethal efficacy (LC50=123μg/L) and compared with free biocide (LC50=211μg/L) and unloaded material (LC50>1000μg/L). A second exposure test with sub-lethal concentrations (lower than 100μg/L), using mussels, was carried out to assess biochemical changes caused by the tested compounds. Oxidative stress, detoxification and neurotransmission markers were not responsive; however, different antioxidant patterns were found with free ZnPT and loaded nanoclay exposures. Thus, the immobilization of the biocide ZnPT into nanoclays proved to be a promising efficient and eco-friendly anti-fouling strategy.

Acute toxicity of organic antifouling biocides to phytoplankton Nitzschia pungens and zooplankton Artemia larvae

The toxicity of the antifouling biocides Irgarol 1051, Diuron, Chlorothalonil, Dichlofluanid, Sea-nine 211, Copper pyrithione, Zinc pyrithione, Ziram and Zineb were evaluated on Nitzschia pungens and Artemia larvae. Results showed that EC50 for Irgarol 1051 was 0.586μgl−1 was the strongest effect on N. pungens following by Copper pyrithione (4.908μgl−1), Ziram (5.421μgl−1), Zinc pyrithione (5.513μgl−1), Diuron (6.640μgl−1), Zineb (232.249μgl−1), Sea-nine 211(267.368μgl−1), Chlorothalonil (360.963μgl−1) and Dichlofluanid (377.010μgl−1) in 96h. In Artemia larvae, the biocides were evaluated the LC50 for larval survivals at 48h. Sea-nine 211 and Copper pyrithione were 0.318 and 0.319mgl−1. Chlorothalonil, Zinc pyrithione and Ziram were 2.683, 3.147 and 4.778mgl−1. Irgarol 1051, Diuron, Zineb and Dichlofluanid were 9.734, 30.573, 41.170 and 154.944mgl−1. These results provide baseline data concerning the toxicity of antifouling biocides against marine environment.