不同环境条件下三丁基氧化锡对火腿许水蚤(Schmakeria poplesia)的毒性效应

为探讨不同环境条件下三丁基氧化锡(TBTO)对桡足类的毒性效应,通过世代培养30日龄火腿许水蚤(Schmakeria poplesia)的多因素协同作用急性毒性实验,测定了温度、盐度、单胞藻浓度和桡足类密度等环境因素对TBTO毒性效应的影响。结果显示:TBTO对火腿许水蚤雌、雄个体的毒性效应无显著差异,96h-LC50值分别为0.41和0.42μg·L-1;随着温度的升高,TBTO毒性效应增强;与盐度25条件相比,盐度15和35条件下火腿许水蚤对TBTO的敏感性相对较高;单胞藻浓度升高导致TBTO对桡足类毒性效应降低;另外,桡足类暴露敏感性还受到其密度的影响。以上结果表明,环境因素对污染物的生物毒性效应产生较大影响,在毒理学研究中应根据实际环境情况设定合理的环境条件,以保证最终生态风险评价结果的科学性。     

多环芳烃（萘）对火腿许水蚤（Schmackeria poplesia）急性和慢性毒性效应的研究(A Study on the Acute and Chronic Effects of NAPH on Schmackeria poplesia)

为初步探讨内分泌干扰物多环芳烃对海洋桡足类生物所产生的生物效应,研究了萘对火腿许水蚤(Schmackeria poplesia)的急性毒性作用及其在1.6μg·L-1、16μg·L-1、160μg·L-1浓度下对火腿许水蚤变态率、存活率、繁殖力、性别比和体长的影响.结果显示,萘对火腿许水蚤48hLC50和96hLC50分别为4589.34μg·L-1和1559.55μg·L-1;各浓度萘均引起火腿许水蚤幼体的变态率显著降低;160μg·L-1萘条件下,火腿许水蚤的存活率、产卵率和抱卵雌体比率均显著降低;各浓度的萘对火腿许水蚤的性别比和体长均未造成显著影响.研究表明,在目前的环境浓度下,多环芳烃(萘)对海洋桡足类生物可能造成的生态风险较低.     

洱海浮游桡足类群落结构对季节性休渔的响应

为了解洱海浮游桡足类群落结构的季节动态特征,于2009年2~11月对洱海浮游桡足类进行逐月采样.结果显示:洱海浮游桡足类生物量的季节性分布呈"双峰型",峰值分别出现在休渔期中期和捕鱼期中期.在休渔期中期,桡足类以杂食性的剑水蚤Mesocyclops dissimilis为优势种;在捕鱼期中期,则以滤食性的哲水蚤舌状叶镖水蚤为优势种.季节性休渔不仅导致鱼类对桡足类的捕食压力出现季节性变化,而且通过影响枝角类的群落结构,改变枝角类对桡足类的竞争压力.在相对较低的捕食压力和较大的食物竞争压力影响下,桡足类以杂食性的剑水蚤为优势类群;在相对较大的捕食压力和较低的食物竞争压力下,以滤食性的哲水蚤为优势类群.     

双齿许水蚤(Pseudodiaptomus dubia)对亚热带虾池Cu和Zn富集的研究

重金属污染是对虾养殖环境主要污染现象之一,查明重金属在环境中的迁移规律对养殖水质调控和对虾健康养殖具有重要意义。本文采用火焰原子吸收分光光度计测定在不同暴露时间下双齿许水蚤(Pseudodiaptomus dubia) 对Cu和Zn的富集量,研究了双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn富集动力学,并探讨了温度和盐度对其富集的影响。结果表明：双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn的富集过程均经历了快速、慢速和平衡3个阶段,实验24 h达到富集平衡;双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn的富集动力学参数k_1(Cu)=0.077 < k_1(Zn)=0.272,BCF_(Cu)=0.344 < BCF_(Zn)=2.252,双齿许水蚤对Zn的富集速率和富集能力均大于Cu。温度对双齿许水蚤Cu和Zn富集的影响显著(p <0.05),最适温度范围为15~30 ℃;盐度对双齿许水蚤Zn富集的影响极显著(p <0.01),而对Cu富集的影响不显著(p >0.05),对Cu和Zn适宜的富集盐度范围为5~35。这些研究结果表明,双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn均具有较强的富集能力。基于以上研究结果,在对虾养殖期间,应通过循环过滤设施去除受到重金属污染池塘中的浮游动物,从而减少幼虾对其摄食和量度体重金属的积累,降低食品安全隐患。     

四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)对两种海洋桡足类动物的毒性效应

为了研究四溴联苯醚(BDE-47)对海洋桡足类的毒性效应,以太平洋真宽水蚤和日本虎斑猛水蚤为受试生物,依据急性毒性实验96 h-LC₅₀值,设置5个浓度组和1个对照组,测定摄食率、滤水率、耗氧率、排氨率和抗氧化防御系统中SOD、GST、GPx活性以及GSH含量。结果显示：BDE-47对太平洋真宽水蚤和日本虎斑猛水蚤的96 h-LC₅₀分别为
57和851 μg·L^-1,后者明显高于前者。2种桡足类在BDE-47作用下,其能量摄入和代谢均受到不同程度的诱导或抑制。太平洋真宽水蚤在中浓度(1.425 μg·L^-1)下摄食率和排氨率受到促进,高浓度(5.70和11.40 μg·L^-1)下耗氧率明显抑制;日本虎斑猛水蚤高浓度下(170.20 μg·L^-1)摄食率受到抑制,中浓度(21.28 μg·L^-1)下耗氧率受到促进,各个浓度的BDE-47对其排氨率均有明显促进作用。太平洋真宽水蚤SOD活性在BDE-47暴露96 h过程中均低于对照组(P<0.05),受到明显抑制;GST活性随暴露时间延长先升高后降低;GSH含量和GPx活性低浓度(0.7125和1.425 μg·L^-1)下随时间先升高后降低,而高浓度(5.70和11.40 μg·L^-1)下则相反。日本虎斑猛水蚤SOD活性随BDE-47浓度的升高先降低后升高再降低;GST活性和GSH含量在低浓度(10.64和21.28 μg·L^-1)BDE-47中与对照组相比无显著差异(P>0.05),而高浓度(85.10和170.20 μg·L^-1)
BDE-47下,GST活性随时间先升高后降低,GSH含量则先降低后升高再降低;GPx活性呈现先降低后升高趋势。由此可见,BDE-47与这2种桡足类的能量摄入、代谢和抗氧化防御系统存在一定时间及剂量效应,并具有明显的物种差异性。     

河蜾蠃蜚对镉的急性毒性响应(Acute Toxic Effects of Cadmium on Corophium acherusicum （Crustacean, Amphipod）)

端足类生物是沉积物毒性检测的优选受试生物,定量评价污染物质对其的毒性十分必要.为筛选我国端足类生物用于毒性检测,通过加标镉海水的急性毒性实验,检测了端足类河蜾蠃蜚(Corophium acherusicum)对重金属镉的敏感性.结果表明:镉对河蜾蠃蜚的毒性效应与其浓度呈显著正相关关系(p<0.05),且毒性强度随作用时间的延长而增加;镉对河蜾蠃蜚96h半致死浓度(LC50)为1.46mg·L-1,与镉对其他端足类生物的96hLC50具有可比性.     

原油和消油剂对海洋桡足类的急性毒性效应

为探明溢油和消油过程对海洋浮游动物的毒性影响,采用实验生态学手段,在室内测定了原油水溶性成分(Water accommodated fraction,WAF)、消油剂及添加消油剂后的水溶性成分(Dispersant water accommodated fraction,DWAF)对我国近海常见浮游桡足类72h时的半致死浓度(Median lethal concentration,72h-LC50).结果表明:1)三类试验液对海洋桡足类的毒性大小顺序为消油剂(140.22～1227.75mgL~(-1))DWAF(82.33～856.64mgL~(-1))原油WAF(1.31～29.82mgL~(-1));2)水温影响污染物对桡足类的毒性,自然水温越高,桡足类对污染的耐受性越差;3)三类试验液对桡足类的毒性存在种间差异(P0.01),毒性作用随物种个体的增大而减弱.图3表3参40     

双齿许水蚤(Pseudodiaptomus dubia)对亚热带虾池Cu和Zn的富集

重金属污染是对虾养殖环境主要污染现象之一,查明重金属在环境中的迁移规律对养殖水质调控和对虾健康养殖具有重要意义.本文采用火焰原子吸收分光光度计测定在不同暴露时间下双齿许水蚤(Pseudodiaptomusdubia)对Cu和Zn的富集量,研究了双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn富集动力学,并探讨了温度和盐度对其富集的影响.结果表明:双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn的富集过程均经历了快速、慢速和平衡3个阶段,实验24h达到富集平衡;双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn的富集动力学参数k1(Cu)=0.077＜k1(zn)=0272,BCF(cu)=0.344＜BCFZn)=2.252,双齿许水蚤对Zn的富集速率和富集能力均大于Cu.温度对双齿许水蚤Cu和Zn富集的影响显著(p＜0.05),最适温度范围为15 ～30℃;盐度对双齿许水蚤Zn富集的影响极显著(p＜0.01),而对Cu富集的影响不显著(p＞0.05),对Cu和Zn适宜的富集盐度范围为10 ～35.这些研究结果说明,双齿许水蚤对Cu和Zn均具有较强的富集能力,在对虾养殖期间,应通过循环过滤设施去除受到重金属污染池塘中的浮游动物,减少幼虾对其摄食和虾体中重金属的积累量,从而降低食品安全隐患.     

利用室内微宇宙系统研究三唑酮对淡水浮游动物群落的影响

三唑酮广泛用于水稻田,常在水环境中残留。为研究三唑酮在环境暴露下的生态风险,通过室内标准微宇宙试验系统检验三唑酮对浮游动物的效应。结果表明,在试验初期,三唑酮对部分浮游动物种群表现出抑制作用:对枝角类生物有明显的抑制作用,对桡足类则展现出轻微的抑制作用。8种生物及桡足类无节幼虫对三唑酮的敏感性依次为:盘肠溞平突船卵溞隆线溞萼花臂尾轮虫低额溞≥锯缘真剑水蚤≥无节幼虫≥单趾轮虫≥中华薄壳介。在整个试验周期内,三唑酮对浮游动物群落的最大无作用剂量(NOEC_(community))2 078.88μg·L~(-1)。在水稻种植季节,三唑酮在沟渠水最大残留浓度为12.00μg·L~(-1),低于本研究中三唑酮的NOEC_(community)。由此可以推测,三唑酮对浮游动物群落的风险很小。     

甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐对海洋桡足类日本虎斑猛水蚤的急慢性毒性效应

甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐(简称甲维盐)是一种广泛应用于农业和水产养殖业的高效抗生素杀虫剂,会进入近海海洋环境从而对海洋生物造成影响。为初步探讨甲维盐对海洋桡足类产生的生物效应,研究了甲维盐对日本虎斑猛水蚤(Tigriopus japonicus Mori)的死亡率、摄食率、滤水率、神经传导关键性酶和抗氧化防御系统中多种酶活性以及生殖、发育的影响。结果显示,甲维盐对于日本虎斑猛水蚤有显著的急性毒性影响,雌性成体和雄性成体的96 h-LC_(50)分别为7 156μg·L~(-1)和3 637μg·L~(-1);雌性成体的24 h-EC_(50)为3.5μg·L~(-1)。暴露在不同甲维盐浓度(0.5、1、2、3.5和5μg·L~(-1))条件下24 h后,日本虎斑猛水蚤的摄食率和滤水率随甲维盐浓度升高逐渐降低,乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)活性、抗氧化酶超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)活性均随甲维盐浓度的升高先升高后趋于平稳,而过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性无显著变化。日本虎斑猛水蚤连续暴露2个世代,随着甲维盐浓度的升高,发育率逐渐降低;当甲维盐浓度达到0.5μg·L~(-1)时,10 d产卵量受到显著抑制,这说明甲维盐对其种群繁衍能力产生了显著影响。将第3代无节幼虫置于海水中进行恢复培养后发现,高浓度甲维盐暴露(0.5μg·L~(-1))对日本虎斑猛水蚤发育和生殖均造成了不可逆的影响,毒性可能具有不可恢复性。本文可为评估甲维盐对海洋桡足类的潜在影响提供基础数据和依据。     

Mesozooplankton community structure in offshore and coastal waters of the Ionian Sea (eastern Mediterranean) during mixed and stratified conditions

Depth-stratified samples, collected during a period where the water column was vertically mixed (March 2000) and a period of thermal stratification (September 2000), were analyzed in order to investigate the horizontal and vertical distribution patterns and composition of mesozooplankton, especially copepod species assemblages, in a pelagic (Ionian Sea) and a coastal area (Patraikos Gulf) of the eastern Mediterranean. Total mesozooplankton abundance and biomass were significantly lower in the highly oligotrophic offshore waters of the Ionian Sea when compared to the semi-enclosed Patraikos Gulf during both seasons. Small-sized copepods dominated the mesozooplankton community. An ‘offshore’ and a ‘coastal’ copepod assemblage were defined in the surface layer (0–50 m) only during March when differences in environmental conditions (i.e., temperature, salinity and fluorescence) were strong between the two areas. Copepod vertical community structure in offshore waters differed between sampling months. In March one assemblage (0–200 m) was mainly identified, while in September three distinct assemblages (0–50, 50–100 and 100–200 m) were observed, related to different vertical distribution patterns of the various copepod species. A pronounced seasonal change of the dominant copepods was evident in the surface layer, where strong differences in hydrological properties were observed from March to September. Below this layer, the copepod community was relatively stable showing decreasing seasonal differences with increasing depth.     

Regulation of body dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) content by the copepod Temora longicornis: a test of four mechanisms

Copepods contain dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) in their tissues in addition to the DMSP in their gut contents and therefore constitute an additional pool of DMSP in the ocean. In the estuarine copepod Temora longicornis Müller, this dynamic pool of DMSP is reduced when external salinity decreases. In the present study the mechanism(s) used by T. longicornis to adjust its DMSP content were examined. Four possible mechanisms were tested in experiments conducted between July 1997 and May 1999: (1) DMSP cleavage, (2) demethylation, (3) conversion to methionine, and (4) release from the body. Tissue extracts of T. longicornis did not exhibit the ability to cleave or demethylate DMSP. In incubation experiments, when external salinity decreased, T. longicornis individuals reduced their DMSP content without increasing their methionine content. The total amount of DMSP in the incubation vials was conserved regardless of salinity. The copepods retained most of the DMSP in their tissues in 30‰ water, but when salinity was reduced to 20‰, the copepods released 41 to 55% of their body DMSP to the surrounding medium; 89 to 91% of the total DMSP was recovered. This suggests that estuarine copepods represent a reservoir of DMSP, which is released as dissolved DMSP upon salinity decline. Therefore, while osmoregulation by these copepods may have little impact on the chemical properties of DMSP, it will affect the partitioning of DMSP between particulate and dissolved phases in the water column. Received: 20 August 1999 / Accepted: 28 March 2000     

Etude de la respiration chez des copépodes pélagiques méditerranéens (bassin occidental et Mer Ionienne) et de ses variations en fonction de la bathymétrie des espèces et de leur origine géographique

A shipboard experimental study was conducted on the respiratory rate of pelagic copepods from two Mediterranean stations (Ionian Sea and Occidental Basin). In each sampling area, copepods were collected from different depths (0 to 2500 m) by horizontal net hauls. Selected copepod species included bathypelagic, lower mesopelagic, upper mesopelagic and epipelagic species. Respiration rates were determined at 4 different temperatures (10°, 14°, 18°, 22°C). The metabolism-temperature curves revealed varying degrees of thermal sensibility of copepod respiration related to their respective habitats. During experiments employing a large range of temperatures, bathypelagic species proved most sensitive. By contrast, vertically migrating species appeared to be more tolerant to temperature variation. The relationship between respiratory rate and copepod dry weight was investigated for the 4 temperatures used. A strong correlation emerged between log of respiration and log of weight. The equation of regression lines varied with experimental temperature and with geographic origin of the copepods studied. Comparison of the relation respiration-weight of specimens from the two Mediterranean stations and from a previously studied Atlantic station (Canarian and south Moroccan region), indicated that observed differences are related to the average temperature of the mesopelagic waters in each sampling area. The pressure effect on metabolic rate is discussed. It is suggested that hydrostatic pressure does not affect the characteristics of temperature sensibility of copopods' respiration under the temperature conditions prevailing in their natural habitat.     

Seasonal and long-term variations in the body size of planktonic copepods in the northern Baltic Sea

Seasonal and long-term variations in the body size of planktonic copepods were studied in the northern Baltic Sea. The influence of temperature, salinity and phytoplankton concentration to the body size of Eurytemora affinis, Acartia bifilosa and Limnocalanus macrurus (Calanoida) was examined at three sea areas, differing in their hydrographical and trophic conditions (an archipelago area and an enclosed bay on the SW coast of Finland in 1992 and at an open sea station in the Gulf of Bothnia in 1991). There was an inverse relationship between copepod body length and temperature, while there was a direct effect of phytoplankton concentration. According to multiple regression analysis, the relative importance of these factors varied according to species, developmental stage and study area. In the archipelago area, copepod body size was mainly determined by temperature, while in the open Gulf of Bothnia, phytoplankton concentration was usually more important. Interannual variation in the summer body length of E. affinis and A. bifilosa was examined using samples collected over 18 years (1967 to 1984) in the archipelago area. In this analysis, the inverse relationship between water temperature and copepod body size disappeared; in E. affinis the average female length correlated positively with summer temperature. We suggest that the length and timing of the study period greatly influence the investigator's view of the factors regulating copepod body size.     

Growth rate and reproductive differences in a widespread estuarine harpacticoid copepod (Scottolana canadensis)

We demonstrate the presence of significant genetically based differentiation in growth rate (g dry weight d^-1) and reproductive traits (percent reproductive females and mean clutch size g dry weight^-1) among females of an harpacticoid copepod (Crustacea),Scottolana canadensis (Willey), taken from a broad range of latitudes and reared in the laboratory under the same conditions. As temperature increases (15°–25° C), the growth rate of southern-derived copepods continues to increase, while that of northern-derived copepods levels off or decreases. Southern-derivedS. canadensis also have a higher percentage of reproducing females at high temperature (25°C) when rations (cells ml^-1) are reduced, while northern-derived females are at an advantage at low temperature (15°C). Both life-history traits indicate local adaptation to maximize scope for growth and reproduction at prevailing temperatures. The data support our hypothesis that evolution has occurred to maximize feeding minus metabolic energy expended, and that this maximization requires changes in feeding efficiency with differing temperatures.     

Omnivorous feeding behavior of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba

Feeding experiments were conducted at Palmer Station from December 1985 to February 1986 to examine the potential role of copepod prey as an alternative food source for Euphausia superba. Copepod concentration, copepod size, phytoplankton concentration, the duration of krill starvation and the volume of experimental vessels were altered to determine effects on ingestion and clearance rates. Krill allowed to feed on phytoplankton and copepods in 50-litre tubs showed greatly increased feeding rates relative to animals feeding in the much smaller volumes of water traditionally used for krill-feeding studies. Clearance rates on copepods remained constant over the range of concentrations offered, but clearance rates on phytoplankton increased linearly with phytoplankton concentration. Feeding rates increased when larger copepods were offered and when krill were starved for two weeks prior to experiments. Clearance rates of krill feeding on copepods were higher than, but not correlated with, their clearance rates on phytoplankton in the same vessel. E. superba may have a distinct mechanism for capturing copepods, perhaps through mechanoreception. Although our observed clearance rate of 1055 ml krill^-1 h^-1 indicates that krill can feed very efficiently on copepod prey, such feeding would meet less than 10% of their minimum metabolic requirements at the typical copepod concentrations reported for Antarctic waters. However, substantial energy could be gained if krill fed on the patches of high copepod concentrations occasionally reported during the austral summer, or if krill and copepods were concentrated beneath the sea ice during the winter or spring months. Our results, indicating efficient feeding on zooplankton and higher clearance rates on phytoplankton than previously believed, represent a step towards balancing the energy budget of E. superba in Antarctic waters.     

Algae (Raphidocelis subcapitata) mitigate combined toxicity of microplastic and lead on Ceriodaphnia dubia

• Micro-plastics (MPs) significantly increase Pb toxicity. • Algae reduce the combined toxicity of MP and Pb. • The toxicity increase comes from high soluble Pb and MP-Pb uptake. • The toxicity reduction might come from energy related pathway. Microplastics (MPs) have been recognized as a new class of emerging contaminants in recent years. They not only directly impact aquatic organisms, but also indirectly impact these organisms by interacting with background toxins in the environment. Moreover, under realistic environmental conditions, algae, a natural food for aquatic organisms, may alter the toxicity pattern related to MPs. In this research, we first examined the toxicity of MPs alone, and their effect on the toxicity of lead (Pb) on Ceriodaphnia dubia (C. dubia), a model aquatic organism for toxicity survey. Then, we investigated the effect of algae on the combined toxicity of MPs and Pb. We observed that, MPs significantly increased Pb toxicity, which was related to the increase in soluble Pb concentration and the intake of Pb-loaded MPs, both of which increased the accumulation of Pb in C. dubia. The presence of algae mitigated the combined toxicity of MPs and Pb, although algae alone increased Pb accumulation. Therefore, the toxicity mitigation through algae uptake came from mechanisms other than Pb accumulation, which will need further investigation.     

Meiofauna on the seagrass Thalassia testudinum: population characteristics of harpacticoid copepods and associations with algal epiphytes

The composition and abundance of bladedwelling meiofauna was determined over a 15 mo period (1983–1984) from a Thalassia testudinum Banks ex König meadow near Egmont Key, Florida, USA. Harpacticoid copepods, copepod nauplii, and nematodes were the most abundant meiofaunal taxa on T. testudinum blades. Temporal patterns in species composition and population life-history stages were determined for harpacticoid copepods, the numerically predominant taxon. Sixteen species or species complexes of harpacticoid copepods were identified. Harpacticus sp., the most abundant harpacticoid, comprised 47.8% of the total copepods collected, and was present throughout the study. Copepodites dominated the population structures of the blade-dwelling harpacticoid species on most collection dates. Ovigerous females and/or copepodites were always present, indicating continuous reproductive activity. Results suggest that epiphytic algae influence meiofaunal abundance on seagrass blades, as densities of most meiofaunal taxa at Egmont Key were positively associated with percent cover of epiphytic algae throughout the study. The majority of significant correlations between meiofaunal density and cover of epiphytic algae involved filamentous algae, although encrusting algae dominated the epiphytic community. It appears that resources provided by epiphytic algae to seagrass meiofauna (additional food, habitat, and/or shelter from predation) may be associated with algal morphology.     

The Effects of Sewage Sludge On Two Life-History Stages of Mytilus Edulis

Adult and embryos of the common mussel 'Mytilus edulis were exposed to dilutions of, respectively, whole and seawater-extracted sewage sludge. the response of adult mussels was measured as change in feeding and respiration rate after four weeks' continuous exposure, while embryo response was assessed as the percentage of normal, D-shaped larvae after 24 hours, exposure. Adult feeding rate was significantly depressed, and respiration rate significantly increased, at the lowest sludge concentration used (0.02%), and the effect appeared to be attributable to the dissolved rather than to the participate phase of the test medium. the developmental EC50 for embryos was estimated to be 0.15% sewage sludge. at dilutions of 1:600 to 1:5000, therefore, the sewage sludge investigated contained unidentified desorbable components toxic to planktonic and benthic life-history stages of a common marine invertebrate.

Aerial application of fenthion, 0.0-dimethyl 0-[3-methyl-4-(methylthio)phenyl] phosphorothioate, is widely used to control adult mosquito populations in the Florida coastal marshes. Although not sprayed on water intentionally, aerial spray may accidentally drift into estuarine, coastal and offshore waters. Laboratory and field studies were previously conducted to determine the assimilation capacity of fenthion in coastal water and its effects on non-target organisms. Fenthion, once deposited to the coastal water, normally undergoes chemical, photochemical and biological processes. the effect of pH, salinity, natural sunlight and biological activities in the coastal water are discussed. the half-life of fenthion in the offshore, inlet coastal water, estuarine and mangrove swamp waters were found to be 21.1, 5.6, 4.2 and 2.9 days, respectively. in natural conditions, photolysis and biological activities are the two dominant pathways for assimilating fenthion in the water. Four aerial field studies were also conducted to investigate the deposition rate of fenthion in the water. the deposition rate of fenthion aerial spray into the coastal water and its acute toxicity on non-target estuarine organisms were determined. After each spray, fenthion concentration was normally increased and peaked at 45 minutes and then gradually decreased. After 24 hours, only a trace of fenthion (0.01 μgL^-1) was detected. Animal toxicity tests conducted in the field included adults of the calanoid copepod, Acartia tonsa, eggs and juveniles of three species of fishes. Statistically, significant mortality occurred only for copepods in one of the four tests. Water quality such as temperature could play an important role in the sensitivity of copepods to the fenthion.