Acute toxicity, accumulation and sublethal effects of four neonicotinoids on juvenile Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

Neonicotinoid pesticides have been detected in aquatic habitats, and exposure may impact the health of aquatic organisms such as commercially-important crustaceans. Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) is a broadly distributed and high-value shrimp species that rely on estuaries for early life stages. Differences in the acute toxicity and accumulation of different neonicotinoids in tissues of commercial crustaceans have not been widely investigated. This study compared acute toxicity, uptake, and depuration of four neonicotinoids; thiamethoxam, clothianidin, acetamiprid, and imidacloprid, on juvenile P. monodon and their effects on enzyme biomarkers. Acute toxicity (48-h LC50) was determined as 190 mg L-1 (clothianidin), 390 mg L-1 (thiamethoxam), 408 mg L-1 (imidacloprid), and >500 mg L-1(acetamiprid). To assess uptake and elimination, shrimp were exposed to a fixed 5 mg L-1 water concentration for eight days (uptake) or four days of exposure followed by four days of depuration (elimination). Neonicotinoid water and tissue concentrations were measured by liquid chromatographymass spectrometry following solid-phase extraction and QuEChER extraction respectively. The lower toxicity associated with acetamiprid could be associated with lower accumulation in the tissue, with concentrations remaining below 0.01 mg g(-1). The activity of acetylcholinesterase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase in abdominal tissues was determined by spectrophotometric assay, with significant sublethal effects detected for all four neonicotinoids. Depuration reduced the tissue concentration of the active ingredient and reduced the activity of oxidative stress enzymes. Given acetamiprid showed no acute toxicity and reduced impact on the enzymatic activity of P. monodon, it may be an appropriate alternative to other neonicotinoids in shrimp producing areas. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study compared the acute toxicity, uptake, and depuration of different neonicotinoids on juvenile Black Tiger Shrimp. Acetamiprid showed lower toxicity and accumulation in tissues compared to other neonicotinoids, with potential as an alternative in shrimp producing areas.